Depression/Anxiety

MrsTexan · May 2014

Anyone else dealing with depression/anxiety during their pregnancy? Have you found any natural (non-medicated) ways to deal with stress and anxiety that actually help?

I had issues with depression and PTSD in the past, but had gotten better before getting pregnant. Recently with several stressful events in our lives (high risk pregnancy, medical problems, husband lost his job, car threw a rod through the engine, etc.), I find myself back to having depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms. Refuse to take any medications while pregnant (anti-depressants, etc.). Trying to walk/exercise when I can as it seems to help, but with the other medical issues that isn't very often.

brookerachelej · May 2014

I'm so sorry that you're dealing with this. I can relate though as I dealt with similar issues pre-pregnancy and they seemed to resurface around 8 weeks for me. PLEASE find someone to talk to. I did and it made the biggest difference for me. My ob said there were meds if I wanted to go that route and I kept that as an option but seeking out someone to talk to was the best move I could've made.

You're going through a lot right now so be sure to take care of you!

MrsTexan · May 2014

Thanks. I'm glad you found someone to talk to. That may be the best thing for me too, is to find someone I trust to talk to about things.

FrodaBaggins · May 2014

So sorry you're dealing with this. I have anxiety, but not depression. I have also never taken anything for it. The things that have helped for me include exercise as you say, but also meditation/breathing exercises and talking to a therapist. Hang in there!!

Russiandea12 · May 2014

I was on Celexa prior to pregnancy and weened off during 1st trimester, I am now on Buspar PRN, a schedule B, and safe during pregnancy. Hopefully you will be able to manage your anxiety & depression through talking, etc., but if not talk to your OB bc there are some medications that can help and aren't harmful if you need them.

BlytheMac · May 2014

I'm on a low dose of Celexa/Citalopram and have stayed on during pregnancy. I spoke to my doc about it and the benefits outweighed the risks for me. Everyone is different though.

Like @laurelcharles said, breathing exercises work well for me when I do have anxiety (even with medication, it still pops up from time to time).

I also really think my Pilates classes help. It's a combination of the exercise endorphin and the breathing which is very controlled. You might want to try a Pilates DVD. I have 80 year old grandmothers in my class with multiple medical issues and they can do most of the exercises! Give it a shot!

I started doing it for migranes/back pain (very busty) and have almost completely eliminated my headaches. Also, Pilates is a great pelvic floor exercise! Good luck to you!!

mjmaine723 · May 2014

PPs have given great advice. I'm in a similar boat - I really don't want to take anything while pregnant if I can help it. I know I'll have to start my meds again after birth if I don't go on them while LO is still cooking.

For me, drinking more water, being mindful of my eating habits, indulging in chocolate, and browsing the "animals" tab on Pinterest helps me get through some hard times. Who doesn't love a couple of Hershey kisses with a side of cute puppies?!

MrsTexan · May 2014

Thanks everyone. Just talking to others and realizing I'm not the only one helps.

I think today everything is just getting to me a lot more. I know I did not sleep well the past few nights, my car is in the shop until at least tomorrow (with a huge mechanics bill that we can't really afford right now), my husbad lost his civilian job recently, thankfully he still has his military job, but that also means he is gone during the week and only home on the weekends right now. So I'm stuck at home with no car, no husband, no sleep, and major pregnancy hormones. Maybe not the best combination. I just have to find something to get my mind off the sad little pity party I have going. Things could be better, but over all we are very blessed and we can make it through the bumps.

Jessicalig · May 2014

I take Heather Drops for anxiety and they really help

marathonmommy82 · May 2014

I know you said no meds, but I'm a low dose of Lexapro (same dose - 5mg - as my last pregnancy, and my kid is fine, minus the extra head)... I exercise (run 6 days a week) but I find that I need the meds to keep my mood stable.

BlytheMac · May 2014

MrsTexan said:

Thanks everyone. Just talking to others and realizing I'm not the only one helps.
I think today everything is just getting to me a lot more. I know I did not sleep well the past few nights, my car is in the shop until at least tomorrow (with a huge mechanics bill that we can't really afford right now), my husbad lost his civilian job recently, thankfully he still has his military job, but that also means he is gone during the week and only home on the weekends right now. So I'm stuck at home with no car, no husband, no sleep, and major pregnancy hormones. Maybe not the best combination. I just have to find something to get my mind off the sad little pity party I have going. Things could be better, but over all we are very blessed and we can make it through the bumps.

Girlfriend, everyone would be a little anxious if they had all this going on. No wonder! It's hard to be stuck at home just thinking about what can go wrong... Try to focus on the things you can control.

I forgot this yesterday, but another wonderful exercise that I do is when anxiety hits is I start making a list of everything I am grateful for in my life. My health...my husband's support and love...the healthy baby growing in my belly...the roof over my head... As I make the list, I read back all of them out loud. It's like an affirmation. I start adding silly things on there...like, I'm grateful that I'm not left handed like my mom so I don't get ink on my left hand when I write.. I know...silly. If I get anxious in the middle of the night, I just lay in bed and make lists in my head.

Best of luck!

OAHMOM · May 2014

I was previously on Prozac for 9 years. I continued on it with both of my previous pregnancies. The benefits outweighed the risks and my doctor was okay with that. But when my daughter was born she was very lethargic, completely healthy in every way - just sleepy/lazy. I attributed this to the medication I was taking and after I found out I was pregnant this time I stopped my medication. It was a very rough first trimester. Along with stopping my medication (after almost a decade) we had tons of things breaking around the house, 2 toddlers at home, and other family issues. Amazingly I made I through without having to go back on my medication. Though, lately I have been crying A LOT. I had my husband move our treadmill upstairs so that I can walk and watch the kids simultaneously. Exercise has really seemed to help. Additionally, I would second the OP that said writing in a journal. Sometimes I just have to get it all out. My husband has never had any kind of mental illness and he doesn't understand it...I don't have anyone close that I can talk to and I don't have a therapist (would require me to get a sitter, financial reasons, etc...). Hang in there, you're not alone.

TMcWhirt · May 2014

I am in the same boat with you...I was on Viibryd for anxiety disorder and depression - weaned off for pregnancy. I have been fine until the last couple weeks and I am not coping well. Actually had another full blown panic attack this morning and spent a few hours in the ER today. I am overly sensitive and overly emotional, very aggitated and just worried to death and very fatigued...I am really trying hard to stay meds free for my baby girl...but wow its tough.

Praying for you! Tiff

Raclla · May 2014

I've started to have some anxiety issues resurface with this pregnancy. Telling my husband exactly how I was feeling really helped. Just acknowledging what was going in really helped

I explained to him that I was afraid of the panic attacks starting up again and that my biggest fear was ppd.

I had no idea what a relief it would be to say those things out loud. Now he knows what's going on and it is a huge help.

nyagoc · May 2014

I too suffer from anxiety and depression. I was on zoloft before I got pregnant, and decided to ween myself off before we got pregnant. I've been overly emotional lately, I cry all the time, and I find myself getting angry or frustrated very often. I try to do relaxing activities to calm myself down when possible.

A co-worker of mine had similar problems during her pregnancy. Her doctor prescribed her wellbutrion and it helped her out tons because she was able to take it the duration of her pregnancy.

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