Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Depression in Pregnancy | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
Is being overly depressed natural during pregnancy? Sometimes I feel like my world is collapsing, and I can't find anything good about having children. Please help.— Unhappy in Chester, GA | | | ANSWER |
July 18, 2001 | | | Dear Unhappy,
It is very common to feel ambivalent about your pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. Even under the best of circumstances, women with planned pregnancies and good support networks recognize how their lives are about to change and can feel very anxious and unhappy. Most of the time, as the pregnancy moves along, these feelings are replaced (most days) with a positive anticipation.
It sounds like you are miserable and that your feelings are worrying you. I can't tell from your question whether you have good emotional support. If talking to family and friends doesn't give you comfort, or if you are feeling like harming yourself or others, you need to seek help.
Depression can strike anyone, at any time of life. Life stresses and life changes like pregnancy can tip off a major depression. Talk to your doctor or midwife, and get a referral to a mental health professional if you or your practitioner feel that it would be helpful. While there are some anti-depressant medications that are considered safe in pregnancy, the first step is to get assessed by a professional who can help you decide what's best for you.
Take good care of yourself. Remember you can get help and these feelings will not last forever.— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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