Depression at 26 weeks pregnant

[Chri39]

Hi,

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant with my third child. I have 2 wonderful boys, a mostly supportive husband but I can't shake the feeling of depression. I've had bouts of severe depression and I am on medication but something is off. I am dreading everything... each day it's difficult to do the simplest tasks. My husband thinks I am not trying hard enough. I need help, I have suicidal thoughts. Not sure where to go from here.

[Sophie_M]

Hi Chri39,

Reaching and sharing such dark and painful thoughts is not an easy thing, so we'd like to start by saying thank you for posting this with us here on the forum tonight and that we're so glad you have found your way here to us tonight.

We're worried about your wellbeing, so we're going to reach out to you privately as well. Please check on your email inbox shortly.

Depression and suicidal thoughts during perinatal period (pregnancy and the year following birth) are a very serious medical condition that needs help and treatment, so we'd really love to make sure you're being taking care of properly. Have you spoken with your GP or midwife/obstetrician about this yet? If not, we'd really love to encourage you to do so as they are the best people to support you in this right now.

Aside from doing that, we love to reassure you that it's real and we know how hard you are trying. We'd love to help you. We're here for you.

Please consider reaching out to our friends at PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) for information, referrals and support, and you can also contact us at any time (24/7), by phoning 1300 22 4636 and/or by utilising our online chat any time, for any reason. You can also call Lifeline 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 as well. We're all here for you!

If you ever feel as though you are in danger, please don't hesitate to call 000 (triple zero), or present to your nearest hospital emergency department for care.

We hope to hear from you soon, and look forward to the wonderful support you will get through our online family here.

Kind regards,

Sophie M

[ecomama]

Hey Chri39, welcome to the forums. 

Congratulations on your pregnancy and your wonderful boys. 

If only we still lived in tribes! 
You need some help, so ask for it in every sector you can. This in itself can be exhausting, but you sound to be in crisis mode. 
I'm not sure how old your other boys are but there used to be some Home Help programs for several children under a certain age, accessed via the Early Childhood Nurses or such. 

Reduce reduce reduce. Minimise every thing you can. 
FAR simpler dinners (I used to prep the dinner veg straight after doing breakfast for the kids while they were eating it). 
Delivery groceries. 

Ask family to take the boys out if you can, so you can have a nap. 
If there's no one about, it's good to nap with the boys in the afternoon, even if it's in the loungeroom while they're watching a movie or playing. 

I know it's scary to talk to anyone about this but you CAN call a Helpline anonymously any time. 
Everyone wants you to be safe because YOU are the most important person. 
Hopefully your GP is supportive too, reach out if you need to. 

It's fantastic you've reached out here, please keep posting here when you can, so we know you're ok. 

Remember "this time too shall pass" and it does. 
Love EM