Comments on: Gray Skies are Gonna Clear Up.

By: Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:01:00 +0000

So glad to see that you are feeling a bit better. XO

By: lizneust

lizneust — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:31:46 +0000

Oh you poor thing, and shame on your OB and your regular psych person for not talking through this with you beforehand. I was on drugs 75% of the way through my first pregnancy and 100% of the way through my second. Admittedly the drugs I used changed during pregnancy and nursing (depakote does not like babies), but it made SUCH a difference in my ability to maintain an even keel. Pregnancy and postpartum are hard enough for women who don’t suffer from anxiety and/or depression. Those of us who do – sheesh, it is a RIDE.

Some quick thoughts before you meet w/ the repro-psych: There are drugs which can even out the peaks and valleys, but aren’t likely to get you to 100% (Zoloft for me). There are often drugs you can take in the 2nd trimester and almost up to delivery that you are ineligible for in the first. If you are committed to nursing, are you willing to give it up if postpartum is bad and you need to step up the drugs?

I will share one thing that I was told over and over and over in my pregnancies – “Your daughters are going to be so much better off and healthier because you took care of yourself and your mental health.” Do what is right for you, and the science babies will love you for it.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 03:20:50 +0000

You are right about at the weeks where I had major freakout sessions. I was convinced that everything would turn out bad. Convinced my cervix was opening and the babies were dying all of the time. Mentally, and I stress mentally, not physically you’ll feel better at 24 weeks, even better at 28 weeks, fabulous at 34 weeks, and you’ll know everything is okay at 37 weeks. Physically it’s sort of the opposite. And then you have the babies and well it’s a whole new ballgame, I wouldn’t worry too much about it now, because it’s impossible to prepare for everything that happens in the first 8 weeks. The best thing you can have is a husband who will support you during those first few months and it sounds like you have that, so you’ll be okay.

By: fisher queen

fisher queen — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:00:39 +0000

Oh I wish I had had a partner in anxiety when I was pregnant. I am one of those who didn’t write too much about it, and I wrote very little about the serious post partum issues I am facing. The main reason I quit blogging was that I got a really frightening anonymous comment, but talking about my feelings of terrror just didn’t seem appropriate in our little corner of the blogosphere.

Listen to me though: getting help is the absolute best thing to do. I have had to go on medication, but it has made it possible for me to be a happy loving mother to the world’s most fabulous little boy.

It will work out. None of parenting is what you think it’s going to be like. They surprise you every day- no worrying or preparation will make a bit of difference. It’s all about them, which is wonderful.

Also, for the first few months at least, if you feed them, they love you.

Hang in there. It gets better.

By: tryingin2007

tryingin2007 — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:39:09 +0000

like they say “there is an end to every storm.” yet I continue to exist full of fear and anxious that something will eventually go wrong. everything else around me has.

By: Christiana

Christiana — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:55:54 +0000

Glad you’re feeling better and I SO agree that more should be said to newly pregnant women about the emotional rollercoaster that they will soon be feeling. The fear and anxiety of what is t come, the potentialy “creepy” feeling of SOMEONE moving inside of you… I know many of us feel this way and it should be OUT THERE so that people don’t begin to feel like they are crazy. You’re not alone.

By: kate

kate — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:33:22 +0000

Dear God! Your husband didn’t REALLY compare your breasts to things in National Geographic? Jeebus. And he’s still alive???

By: PiquantMolly

PiquantMolly — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:18:51 +0000

Ahhh!

Put on a happy face.

By: thalia

thalia — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:38:39 +0000

So glad you’re feeling a little better, but, most importantly, that you’re beating yourself up a bit less for how you are feeling.

Re the PPD thing, do go and look at moxie’s advice on this. There’s a post there called ‘how to avoid ppd’ and it’s full of v practical stuff you can do.

Hang in there.

By: Geohde

Geohde — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 08:11:36 +0000

Glad to read that you’re feeling a little better,