Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields are currently engaging in a word war against each other because of a type of depression, called postpartum depression. Cruise’s and Brooke’s debacle started when Tom Cruise openly disapproved of Brooke Shield’s personal choice of opting to take prescribed medicines to cure her postpartum depression, when he guested at the Today Show. According to Cruise, who is a popular devotee of Scientology (who believes that we can be cured through natural means and that taking medicine is doing our body harm), Brooke Shields should have instead, opted to cure her postpartum depression by doing healthy exercises. Adding that a lot of people have been misinformed about depression and how to actually cure this common illness.

But what is postpartum depression really? We’ve heard about it often enough, yet are we really sure that we know enough about it for us to actually understand this illness in order for us to help ourselves as well as others? Being pregnant should really be a source of joy for everyone, especially the mother to be, who for nine months, will actually have living being grow from inside of her. Unfortunately, there is another side to this joyous occasion, being pregnant means that you and your body will have to get used to some adjustments for you to have a safe pregnancy. Smoking, alcohol, strenuous activities as well as stress should be avoided at all cost. A healthy baby means having a healthy mother as well. But given that you have been able to successfully avoided all these bad habits for your baby to be, childbirth is a whole different thing, as much as we may try to avoid it, there are still some unfortunate cases wherein the mother’s as well as the baby’s life might be in danger.

Read the rest of this entry

Though most people may be relatively familiar with what depression is, most people are unlikely unaware of how significant of a problem depression is. In the United States alone, statistics indicate one of every five people is depressed. When that percentage is expanded, the result is millions and millions of depressed people. In itself that’s a cause for alarm, but what may be even more of a concern is that most depressed people in the US never get treatment. That equates to lots of pain, and lots of productivity lost.

Read the rest of this entry

So I thought not getting my period was going to be the best thing ever but lately I feel like I’m at the least 5x’s more emotional than when I get my period. I was at a pool hall with my fiance this past weekend and started crying because it seemed like he was ignoring me. I’m usually not like that at all and this is so weird and different and hard to deal with. I was just wondering if anyone out there can relate?

Daily, I’m currently taking 10mg of Paxil for anxiety and 50mg of amitriptyline for migraines. I’ve suffered for so long with both conditions and it took me years to find the right medications to treat them. However, I’d also like to plan to become pregnant. My doctor tells me that while it’s not necessarily recommended, women can have successful pregnancies while taking anit-depression medication. Since I’m a big worrier, I was just hoping that someone out there who has been in this situation can share their story with me.

 There are many very early pregnancy symptoms and how can you tell if they are a sign of pregnancy? The more of these symptoms you have that are listed below then the higher probability there is that you are pregnant. Read through the list below and see how many of these very early pregnancy symptoms you have.

Read the rest of this entry

Im 38 years old and last year I became pregnant. I have no children but have been pregnant before. Each time I have been pregnant I have slipped into some sort of horrible depression. I literally go crazy. Thoughts of suicide, inability to sleep, eat, anything. I have alot of support from my family, and my boyfriend would cook after work and clean the house while I just sat there. It was horrible. My pregnancy doctor put me on Zoloft and after about a month there was still no relief. I misscarried. Not sure why. No heartbeat. Sounds terrible but after a few days I was back to normal mentally. I aborted the first one. I know I would make a wonderful mother and am financially stable and own a home but I just dont know If I can do it. I want to do it. I want a baby . I just dont know what to do about this or even why Im getting like this.

Every woman gains weight when she’s pregnant, and many women lose all the extra pounds soon after the baby is born. For others, though, every new child adds an additional 10 to 25 pounds that seems almost impossible to get rid of.

If you know that you tend to put on weight during a pregnancy because you never really lot the extra pounds after your last baby was born, it’s a good idea to discuss the issue with your doctor during your prenatal visits.

Read the rest of this entry

I feel so depressed. I am so lonely. I worry a lot about if my baby will be ok because I’ve had a previous miscarriage and have been in the hospital for heavy bleeding twice already for this pregnancy. I feel very unattractive and I always tell my boyfriend he is prbly cheating bc he stays gone so long and I feel so lonely. Then we fight and I am afraid he will leave me. Is there anything I can do? Can the doctor do anything about this?

Good Morning Everyone,
I jsut wanted to get some advise and some stories on how you as a pregnant woman or once was pregnant handled your days of stress..sadness..or just moodiness and attidude..I am in my first pregnancy and usually im so very happy that I have my little angle in my belly. Its one of the best gifts god could have given me…But past couple days ive been sad…so so moody and ready to snap on anyone..What did you do when you had those days..At times I feel no one can help I just gotta go for a walk..or read to my baby..or sing to my baby..So that I can be happy..(smiles) it does make me feel better. Because I know the more happy I am my baby is..I know my baby can feel everything I feel…Any Suggestions Any Stories you would like to share..And please dont say your pregnant every pregnant woman goes thru this which I do know..Just want some woman I can relate too thats all..So have a wonderful day..God bless and Enjoy your little angles…=)

I am 24 weeks pregnant and I have been feeling pretty depressed. This is my 2nd pregnancy and I have been really stressed out. I was extremely happy during my first pregnancy but not this time. I have been feeling this way for a few weeks now but I thought I was just having pregnancy mood swings. I started having other symptoms like sleeping a lot, eating all the time, feeling low and irritable, and very fatigued. I don’t feel suicidal or anything but I don’t want it to go that far. I plan to talk to my midwife at my next prenatal appt but I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the treatment usually is for depression during pregnancy. I know there are some meds that are safe during pregnancy and I would like to know what they are and what are the side effects. I appreciate any advice so thanks in advance.