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worried about PPD ... 32 weeks pregnant

alicorlalicorl
in Postpartum Depression

I am scared that I am going to have this pretty bad... my OB has aready commentted on my anxiety levels at this point in my pregnancy. Has anyone noticed a link between anxiety before delivery to PPD after? Also I want to know what the warning signs are for this. All of the women in my family have had this pretty bad - not sure if this is a given that I will have it too I just want to be proactive.

TIA

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Re: worried about PPD ... 32 weeks pregnant

  • StarryNight39StarryNight39

    I think if you have a history of anxiety prior to delivery you're more likely to have PPA (Postpartum Anxiety)

    I had a history of anxiety and no depression, but I did end up with both PPD & PPA.

    Just be honest with your doctor after delivery. Good luck.

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  • tonjalatonjala

    Before getting pregnant I was taking zoloft for Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but I weaned off it during my second trimester and now LO is 4 months old and I haven't needed the zoloft yet (for anxiety that is). I do however have a little PPD but I don't know if it's related to the previous problems. My LO was premature and in the NICU so I have been blaming that for my PPD.

    As far as warning signs, I was depressed at the end of my pregnancy, but again that could have been because I was in the hospital on bedrest. After giving birth I would say I was just always super emotional and always on the verge of crying. But I would say it's different for everyone. If you can try to maintain a positive attitude it may help because positive thinking can be healthy (easier said than done I know). GL!

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  • FoxChaseBrideFoxChaseBride

    I had been dealing with anxiety before giving birth.  I have also dealt with seasonal depression off and on since I was probably 18.  So, I made sure I communicated with my Dr. about my concerns.  He agreed that with the anxiety I was already experiencing pre deliver, I was at a higher risk to develop PPD or PPA.  I got both! And I got it pretty badly. At it's worst, I even had those images that you hear about in Lifetime movies. I will share those with you if you'd like as I want ALL mothers to know that it is nothing to be ashamed of.  But honestly, I never thought I would be one of the women who had that happen to me.  Surely I wasn't capable of having a thought about hurting such a precious little girl!!  But I did. 

    I didn't notice anything immediately after birth, but within 48 hours it hit me hard.  They actually kept me in the hospital one more day and I started Xanax and Celexa. (FYI-I did not have another horrible thought about hurting her after I was on medication). It meant I had to pump and dump while bottle feeding.  After a couple days of that, I realized that trying my hardest to get to a point where I could actually breast feed was making me more anxious.  So, with my Pediatricians blessing (and the blessing of all my family, though it wasn't needed), I stayed with formula feeding.  It helped a lot to know that anyone was capable of feeding my baby. I only took the Xanax for 2 full weeks (maybe not even that long).

     Now I only take one if I start to feel a sick feeling that comes from an overwhelming anxiety (due to my crazy hormones).  I would say that I only need a Xanax once a week at most...sometimes not at all during the week.  I communicate regularly with my significant other and we talk about what it could be that triggers my anxiety.  That helps a lot.  I've also noticed that staying hydrated helps my anxiety.  Not sure if that is just a coincidence or not...but it is definitely something that works for me.  I sleep as much as I can.  Don't try to be super mom and get everything done.  I tried at first...now I just don't care that I haven't vacuumed in over 2 weeks :/ (shhhh!)

    I know this is just a lot of me rambling about my experience, so if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.  But, don't be scared.  Just go into this knowing that it is possible that you will have PPD or PPA or even both.  But it is also possible that you won't have either.  Take it one day at a time for now, and after birth, take it one minute at a time.

    Do you have a support network?  That would be my most important question for you.  If you do, make sure they are all aware of the possibility, so no explanation is necessary if you find yourself dealing with PPA or PPD.  Make sure have people willing to help out and allow you to get a little bit of extra sleep in the morning.  That makes a world of difference.  I would get up with the baby, feed her and pass her off to someone while I went back to bed for 2 more hours.  Days I had little to no sleep were my worst days for anxiety.

     Again...if you have any questions, just ask.

    I'll be thinking of you!

    Megan

    (mother of Marley :) 

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