[Fran27]

How did it go when you brought your baby home?

I've had situational depression for 6 years now. Well, seeing as things have been hard for 6 years, it's been coming and going.

Now I'm worried that I will have PADS when we finally have our baby... I know I almost got a nervous breakdown when we brought home our first puppy (don't laugh), because it was such a change to have to watch him all the time... I had no problem with the second one though.

The thing is, I'm going to go back to staying at home when we have our baby. I'm only working part-time in a job where I really dislike my boss and my manager, and I'm really looking forward to getting out of there, plus I was unemployed for 3 years, so I'm used to it, but I'm worried I will miss seeing people etc again (like I did when I was unemployed), and that the baby will add too much stress... Even if it's what I really want.

What's your experience? Anything you wish you had done to get prepared?

Thanks in advance!

[mom2justynsarah]

Have you tried anti-depressants? They work wonders with managing depression. There is a history of depression in my family. It is a disease. That's why it's so important to take the proper care for your depression. Once managed, eveything else is managable.

[HappyTwinsMom]

I was diagnosed with clinical depression 11 years ago and have been taking anti-depressants ever since. My depression was not situational, as you mention yours is, but caused by a biological imbalance. Fortunately, the medication has kept things well controlled all this time. When my daughters were born 5 years ago, my mom had just passed away two months previously and I spent thei first month 600 miles from home with the girls hospitalized in the NICU.

I definitely had my sad moments, but I wouldn't classify what I went through as PADS. However, if I had it to do over again, the one thing I know would do is ASK FOR MORE HELP! I kept thinking I had to be able to it all on my own...while my husband was at work and I could barely find time for a shower between feeding, changing and caring for twins.

Good luck to you!

[Fran27]

Originally Posted by mom2justynsarah

Have you tried anti-depressants? They work wonders with managing depression. There is a history of depression in my family. It is a disease. That's why it's so important to take the proper care for your depression. Once managed, eveything else is managable.

I've never needed them. Things have gone much better in the last year (despite failed IVFs etc surprisingly), I'm just worried it will start again once we have the baby. I won't hesitate to see the doctor if needed though!