Q:I am four months pregnant and scared. When I had my first child, I got depressed after the baby was born. After a few months, my husband took me to the doctor’s office to get some medication. I would like not to get depressed this time but I am not sure what to do. What do you suggest?
A:One out of every five newborn mothers is depressed either during her pregnancy or after her baby is born.
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You have already been depressed with a newborn child so you probably should be extra careful. I suspect that the first time, you were caught off guard and not prepared for the challenges. If you get depressed again this time, you can be better prepared.
Here are some suggestions. Look after yourself, both during your pregnancy and after the baby is born. Eat nutritious foods, exercise daily, get at least six hours of sleep daily and keep your life as simple as you can. The more you complicate your life, the more likely you will add stress.
With your history of depression, chances are good that you and your doctor are working with some antidepressants to help you. The temptation is to stop taking your medications once you find out you are again pregnant, fearing that the pills will harm your fetus.
Some medications are safe for your unborn child. Stopping them may put you at risk of getting depressed again. Consult your family physician.
You need to make sure that you have a personal support system there to help you. Spend time with those in your extended family who give you lots of hugs and kisses, while staying away from the others for a while.
Check your community. You might find other young mothers who have regular coffee breaks together and share their experiences and their wisdom with one other. Connecting with them might be fun.
If you need more professional guidance, ask your family doctor to refer you to your local mental health team. Make sure your husband is around to pamper you when the demands of being a mother seem out of hand.
Jacklin Andrews is a family counsellor from Saskatchewan. Contact: jandrews@producer.com.
