my biggest fear....

i had TERRIBLE PPD after my son was born, that started immediately after coming home from the hospital...it was a really low point in my life, i took some meds, that didnt help too much, and just went through extensive counseling...i try to chalk it up to being very young, and looking back pretty immature to be having a baby (i was 21 and married VERY young) but, part of me knows my family has a very long history of depression battles...

ive been surprisingly doing VERY well during this pregnancy, and its been a very tough year, mentally and physically, especially since my car accident..
im basically VERY happy with my life right now, and sooo excited for this baby to come, but part of me is so afraid ill end up with that depression again, and yea, my newborn will get through it, just like my DS did when he was a lil baby, (my mother helped me alot) BUT now my DS is gonna be 10, and i hate to say this, maybe some other moms who already have a child will understand, but hes been with me for 10 years, hes my priority..not to say this baby isnt, but to say, HE will actually KNOW if mommy is sad..or if somethings not "right" with me..i HAVE to function for him..for school, for making lunch, for religion classes, for baseball practice and games, etc...

Anyone else with a "history" worried about this?

Re: my biggest fear....

I don't have a depression history, so I can't contribute that way, but I'm hopeful that you won't be experiencing as bad of a case of PPD as last time... you sound rather upbeat right now...

PPD is a very difficult thing.... I suggest you get in touch with a Dr. who could treat your PPD if you were to get it. maybe even a bit of 3rd trimester counseling?

setting it up ahead of time would only give you the confidence and security that everything will be ok this time around......

hope this suggestion helps

Re: my biggest fear....

Yes, I had PPD after my son was born and again after my daughter was born.

My children were only 16 months apart and I wonder if the stress of having them so close together made it harder for my second delivery.

I think the stats do say unfortunately that there is a 50% chance of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies.

Being prepared, having a game plan really helps. I had a therapist "waiting" and I knew which meds worked for me. I recovered much quicker.

I knew I had to get better very fast and stopped BFing and went on the medicine as soon as the symptoms started- I couldn't afford to wait because I had to be there for my 16 month old.....FM if you need to talk.....

Re: my biggest fear....

thanks ladies :0) im doing really well, my life is on track and has been for years, but as anyone with depression knows, the littlest thing can be a trigger..

Re: my biggest fear....

I am worried about this too-- I am generally not the happiest camper on the block.

eta-- I don't have a history of depression, I am just always um, disgruntled.

Message edited 9/20/2008 7:28:56 AM.

Re: my biggest fear....

i dont have any experience with this and i hope i dont either..but for some reason i feel like i might be that mom that has ppd after the baby is born. i dont know why i feel like that but i do!?!?!?
i try not to think about it!! i dont want to will myself into having it..

since your son is 10 you can prob. explain to him that "mommy will have a lot of hormones and she mmight be sad and not herself for a while but she will get better...." that sor t of thing....

good luck!!

Re: my biggest fear....

I've always tended to get down around AF, and I've been beyond irritable this entire pregnancy so I am worried about whats going to happen after she comes!!!!

Re: my biggest fear....

see, thats the thing, ive been SOOOOOOO abnormally happy during this pregnancy so far, and believe me, ive been through ALOT this year..

my son is so mature, and i can definately be frank with him, and ask for some space, and some help..and hed drop everything to give me both..
i just worry for him that he may be angry with his lil for coming along and making mommys life crazy again..

ugh, ive just been thinking about it alot lately, this is almost going TO WELL for me, if that makes any sense to anyone..

it was just a very scary time in my life, and i never wanna go back there..
thanks for everyones support though!!