This is alittle long, but I really need someone's opinion, so please read...

I'm 8 months pregnant, and I've been suffering from depression and anxiety since I was 16. I never been to a therapist or never took medication for it because I felt that I can deal with it naturally on my own. It comes and it goes. Sometimes, it comes for a long time before it goes. Now that I'm pregnant, it's been slowly coming back. Last night, it got really bad to the point that I didn't want to talk to my own mother or hear her voice. I just wanted to be left alone. She didn't understand why, and I didn't understand why either. I was curled up on my bed and staring at the wall. I don't know why. My doctor has been asking me if I've been feeling depressed, but I've been lying and saying no because I thought I can deal with it. But now that I think about it, I've been locked up in my house for this whole pregnancy, with all the windows shut, and all the blinds closed. I didn't even realize I haven't been out of the house or talking to anybody for a long time, only when I have prenatal appointments.

Well, here's my question...I know I should talk to my doctor and get help, but will they think I'm not going to be mentally fit to take care of my baby, and take her away when she's born, or is that my anxiety talking?

I think that you should get some help, not only for you, but for your child. You don't necciarily need to take meds, but talking to someone always helps. And if you are concerned they want to take you kid away (which I highly doubt) You should set up something with your mother so that way if they want to you can let your mother take your child untill you get better.

You need to talk to your doctors about it, absolutely. They have only your and your baby's best interests in mind...

And if you've been dealing with this for several years, maybe you should consider taking medicine? I understand feeling like you want to beat it on your own. But there's nothing wrong with getting help. You will feel much better, and be much more able to take care of your baby.

maybe you have to take stock of yourself, and why your feeling depressed and do something about it! Why aren't you happy to be having a baby? That could be a start...

As you replace the blocks of depression with positive things it will start to fade.

Find another thing to do when you are feeling blue other than lying on your bed staring into space.

Go for a walk, go to the library, etc.,

Make a list of things you want to do to improve yourself or situation...

Therapy might help...or join a prenatal class or something...

I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow then. I really need to kick this feeling. I definetly don't want to feel this way when my baby is here. Thank you everyone

Baby girl you need to get some help! I was going thru depression too...........another story you need some help. They won't take your baby away but you've got to talk to someone about your problems, so you can get better, and take care of that sweet baby of yours. I'm here for you too if you need to just chat ok!

Well I have never been pregnant but I have read books about pregnancy for when that day comes. And is a major change in your hormones. One of the reason your doctor asked you this question is because is completly Normal to feel depress. You should be sincere and No they wont take your baby away. Just tell him or her, that you are experiencing mild depresion to see what he recomends. Remember Doctors see this happening everyday, is what they do. I would subjest to be around family or friends, dont get disconected. Also there is post partum ( I need a spell check for that)Depression and alot of new Moms get that. Your Doctor will be there to help you should trust Him or Her.

Hope you feel better soon

hi there,you really need to talk to your doctor,and they are not going to think that you are a bad parent,i promise you.you are going to feel much better even if you just talk to someone.only thing they may suggest is a real light dose of a med. but nothing to harm your baby.hears a flower hope you feel better ill pray for quick deliverance from you deppression.

Thank you sweetwinks

I think the reason it has been getting worse is because I haven't been talking to anyone. For some reason I find it hard to talk about my problems.

Me too but if you could talk to someone you didn't know like a counsellor or therapist it might make it a little better because they can't judge you. the more you talk about it the better you feel and maybe it will help you to become stronger to fight off more depression later on

Sudecia, hon, please let them know. I was exactly in the same position as you and the depression got worse after the babies were born. Post Partum is ramant, and can be a big problem. No one knew what was wrong with me. It was a very long time ago, but now days they know about things like this. Please talk to your Dr.

You need light, sunlight in your eyes for at least 20 min a day or it will get worse. The brain needs sunlight. It affects your brain chemistry. Locking your self away is the worst thing you can do.

Please talk to your Dr. They will not take your baby away. The only way they can do that is if you say you want to hurt yourself or someone else...and you haven't said that. You will be fine. They will not take her away.

Meds will come after the baby is born unless you plan to breast feed and I think they even have meds for that too. You will feel so much better after the side effects go away. I won't lie to you. The side effects can be a bummer but they generally go away with in a few weeks.

Your precious baby girl needs you and they will not take her away just because you are feeling depressed. It is a normal thing and all they will want to do is help you help yourself. Please don't make the same mistake I did. Get help please.

Your hormones are running like crazy right now. Talking to people and opening the blinds can be a big help. Are you eating right? That can cause problems too.

I have more but Im prattling now. If you ever need to talk, my email is always open. Write if you want to talk to someone who has gone through it.

Hugs!!!!!

Karen

Thanks Karen. I can't e-mail you though cuz you have a block on people under 30

I'm not brave enough to open the blinds yet, but I'm definetly calling my doctor tomorrow. Since I have trouble talking to people, I wrote down everything I was feeling today. It turned into a page long essay lol. I saved it and I'm going to give it to the doctor.

As for eating, I think I've been eating too much. I've been using food to make myself feel better. I already gained 60 pounds and my doctor said that was too much. During pregnancy, I think eating too much is better then not eating enough, so I'm not worried about my weight.

...for 4 years I thought I could control this, but it sounds like from other people's experiences, I just made myself worse off. This time I'm going to take it serious and get some help.

Sudecia, I am very glad to hear that you are going to see the Dr and writing things down is an excellent idea.I should have thought about that since they have me doing it too.

Im glad to hear you are eating well...I gained a lot when prego and it was lost eventually. No worries about that......you have more important things to think about.

As for the e-mail, Im not under 30 Im 40 years old so if you want to write, I have my setting to anyone.........thank you for taking care of yourself and your lil girl!

hugs,

Karen