depression during pregnancy?

susmatt

It's been several years, but I've had seasonal depression.  I didn't have any signs of seasonal depression this year until a few weeks ago (I was a few weeks into my pregnancy).  This is the worst I've ever felt.  Does anyone know if pregnancy hormones can trigger depression?  It's not that I feel really sad, I just feel really unmotivated and apathetic.  Anyone else feel this way?

Goldengirl16

I don't know much or anything about seasonal depression, but our hormones are going crazy so I wouldn't be surprised.  I'd talk to your OB about it.  Good luck and hope you feel better!

BlondeBride123

I've been being treated with meds for mild depression for 5 years.  My OB went over my meds and said I could continue taking them.  She said if there was a time when I would need them most it would be during pregnancy with the hormones going all crazy.  We weighed the pros and cons of continuing the meds and decided for now I will keep them.  I'll probably try to phase them out just before 3rd tri. 

SamJustice

Yes, I'm fairly certain that the hormones can cause a mild depression. I know for certain after the baby is born, the sudden drop in these hormones causes postpartum depression. I've been treated for major depression since I was in 7th and began being treated for a mild bi-polar disorder shortly after my miscarriage last year. So far, it's been hitting me like a ton bricks. So much so that I can't even bring myself to get out of bed, much less do the dishes. My doctors say they want my FI to watch me pretty damn closely after the baby's born.

Hollygirl7

It's SO good you're so in tune with your body and your feelings that you're aware of this now. I struggled with depression my whole pregnancy with my son but had no idea what it was or what to call it. It was so confusing, and it wasn't until my son was about 10 months and I had a pregnant friend who was depressed that I actually learned what it was. I didn't advocate for myself very well, and didn't manage to get across to my midwives the extent of what I was feeling, but my friend WAS able to do that, and in so doing learn about something called Prenatal Mood Disorder. Look up more on it, but from what I've seen it's basically a mild form of PPD, but before the baby comes. It does NOT mean you'll have PPD (I didn't) but it's something to be aware of.

Good luck with everything! I hope knowing what's going on is able to help you cope with it better and have a good and happy pregnancy!

jdonovan09

I am feeling similar to you. I looked it up this morning and there was an article on babycenter.com that says that due to the rapid increase of hormones in the early weeks of pregnancy that it can cause depression.