pre-partum depression?

[mickey05]

I've been a happy person almost all my life until I had my second child in 2003. I had post partum depression and left it untreated and thought I could deal with it on my own. Eventually I did though it took me 9 months. Later the depression cam eback and I started welbutrin which worked great for me until I found out I was pregnant and stopped all medication. I moved to a new state, I don't know anyone, I'm a 24 hour drive away from my family and I don't feel comfortable talking to anyone about my problems. Is there anything that can safely treat my depression and not affect my baby. I'm 19 weeks. Thanks

[tintinabou]

I had severe PPD withmy first child(now 8yo).  Was treated, left at that.  Second child I developed depression in about the 2nd month of pregnancy.  Doctor monitored me and said he wanted to wait until after 1st trimester to medicate even though there were some meds that were *less risky* than others for pregnancy.  Medicated from 4th month on.  3rd pregnancy doctor not willing to risk things, put me on meds right from the start (keeping in mind that with my depression histories I could go from "fine" to suicidal in less than 24 hrs - not the typical 'depression diagnosis' one generally gets).  Yes there were risks - but the doctor told me that there was no risk greater than losing the mother to potential suicide.  There are some meds that are less risky but I won't share which ones I've been told of because I'm not a doctor.  I do suggest you see a doctor (maybe get a psych referral *just to be safe*) because pregnancy (the hormonal stuff) can uncover a predisposition to depression where maybe you didn't experience any symptoms prior to ever being pregnant.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Kiddo2]

The best thing that you can do to handle depression after having a child is vitamin B6 and 12. These are lost from your body while the child is developing and can cause the depression. All of the drugs tend to just hide the situation, but don't actually get rid of it. This worked for me - it wasnt immediate but after about 4 weeks my body seemed to snap out of being depressed and so did I. It was very remarkable and it worked. I hope you try this and it helps. Kiddo2

[mickey05]

thanx Helen:)

[na866556]

hey mickey i am working on getting you the clinics number just bare with me as i presently am not in canada. i will ask a friend to locate the number. as well i feel it would be worth the while for you to check in with your public health unit to see if there is a moms and tots program or a parenting coarse not that you need help with being a parent but just it gets you out and interaction with other moms. gives you a chance to have a break from your children. I am not implying that you dont love your kids just i know how it is when your depressed and you just need extra time for yourself. i hope you can get involved with a group in your area it can be most helpful.

Helen

[na866556]

Micky theres a clinic that i know in Calgary alberta. If your interested i could possible try and locate the number of the clinic for you and you could call and see what you need to do to been seen there? just let me know  what you want to do. just leave your reply on this question ok thanks take care

Helen

[mickey05]

that would be great, I've been reading on the net anti-depressants that are safe in pregnancy,non are particularly "safe", but they say that the risk is higher for a baby to have problems that are related to an unhappy pregnancy than for them to have problems from the medication, i'm really desperate at this point and would try anything to be a little bit happy, I have two other kids and it's unfair to them. thanks for your help and support:)

[mickey05]

thanks, I'm in Watertown, 30 miles from Canada, if its worth it I'll make the drive.:)

[na866556]

hi! well as far as getting dignosed with SADD a friend she practised in nursing and she told me to see my doctor and I told my doctor that i noticed a pattern of depression and she investagated it for me and found a clinic called SADD and in canada its more commonly known. It was not known until some people started coming out to say they were having odd times of depression. there are different kinds of depression that should be treated differently so my best advice is to ask your doctor or look into seeing if there is a sadd clinic in your area. as well if you have small children a great way to get your social life back is in canada the health care units run play groups the libraries do things too for the kids and it gets you inter acting with other moms that have simular issues so why not look into that too. I did when my kids were small it was most helpful. good luck and take care
Helen

[mickey05]

I never heard of that before, and how did you get diagnosed with it. I'm not a shy person just being in the house for so long and not knowing anyone has gotten my social skills a little low. I'm not used to interacting with other people. Thanks for your advice!

[na866556]

I suffer with depression myself I have some condition called SADD  i dont know if you have heard of this condition before, however its just due to not getting enough sun light. There are two things you might try one being that you get sunlight or find out if you have a SADD clinic near you to get thyropy or the other thing i recently tried is believe or not there is a main vitamin in the sunlight that goes missing especially for me in the winter time i was up till two months ago living in canada and in the winter it was so bad for me. so the main vitamin i was missing was vitamin D so maybe ask your doctor if you could try going on vitamin D I dont think a vitamin will hurt the baby but just to be safe. My best advice as well with depression is to talk i know you sound like your a shy person but really you need to find just one person to trust and open up to them about how your feeling. Good luck I wish you well all the best.