Pregnancy and hormones. How are you feeling?

[maybebaby29]

I'm not pregnant now (2 years ago I was) but curious how everyone has been feeling? I ask becasue honestly, it was the ONLY time in my life I felt emotionally stable/normal. Sure the first two and last two months were emotional hell for me and medically/understandably so (it is for everyone) but the rest of the months? PERFECTION. I was happy, normal, feeling good, had a baseline, you know?

Before pregnancy and now 2 years later? Depression/anxiety/anger--all over the place depending on my cycle. Like today? Two days into my period?

Joints hurt
Feel like I was hit by a truck
Depressed
Can't focus
Migraine like a bad caffiene withdrawl headache and I'm drinking caffiene
Just all over blah

I had to book an appt. with a psych to talk about going on meds because this just isn't right. And I'm just wondering if anyone else feels good (or not) emotionally during pregnancy and if you felt a difference after pregnancy?

I will say though I 100% miss being pregnant for a multitude of reasons beyond emotional stability. It was the best, happinest, amazing time of my life and I still carry that with me every time I look at my son. He's amazing and I would love to have that again for him and for myself (he LOVES babies).

Wishing everyone in the forum good luck, happiness, and health. Adgirl can tell you how amazing having a child is, especially those of us who had to go down a long road of conceiving.

[maybebaby29]

Thanks. I did. It said all was fine with my thyroid. More and more it seems I have PMDD--severe PMS where hormones are out of wack. At least it has a name and can be treated.

[Ecologic]

My baby is only 5 months old but so far so good. My pregnancy was very good but my son's delivery could have been very bad: I had to have an emergency C-section and I was in complete shock when he was born, really not the birth I had thought I would have. But he was born perfectly healthy I don't think about his birth anymore.

I used to take Xanax here and there before getting pregnant because I have an anxious nature, but have not taken it since learning I was pregnant. I had a few anxiety attacks during the pregnancy - mostly about money and raising a child.

And I still have some anxiety problems now that he is born (not treated at all because I am still breastfeeding) but they are a bit different: I am now irrationally scared of car accidents with him in the car.

Apart from the anxiety, no other problems for me. Funny because after my last miscarriage I had developed symptoms similar to yours: depression, very bad migraines (had to take medication for them), very bad numbness in one leg and one hand (to the point I had to take a brain MRI which revealed nothing, still don't know what was going on). I was already on thyroid medications back then and after increasing my meds, things were better - and I was able to finally conceive.

I would recommend you have your thyroid thoroughly checked, hypothyroidism can sometimes mimic depression and create weird symptoms.

[maybebaby29]

OMG you were me. For the first set of weeks I used to hold him and rock him to sleep alone in his room and just cry and beg and plead to "God" or whomever it is watching over him not to take him and bargain that "He" could take me after Aidan was 18 and off to college. I mean hard cold seriousness in my pleading and beliefs. And then after his RSV and the lack thereof care in that friggen ER "Oh he's just got RSV and not a preemie. So what?" Holy cow did it ramp up the anxiety/fear. It doens't help that our peds now and asthma specialists say well technically he was in for 5 days, most babies non preemie are out in 2 so yea, he was in a critical condition. Ya think? On oxygen, IV, steroids, deep suction---ugh I hate that orginal ped and ER guy we had.

It didn't help that my DH wasn't overly supportive. To this day he's all "you need to get over it he's healthy." But you know, part of me is like um...he has now chronic issues and is high risk? The specialist told me he was asphixiated. The records showed he was at the threshhold for being born with cerebral palsy/damage because of the meconium in lungs and cords. Sorry it's still hurtful after 2 years.

As you can tell, I'm not doing well today. Hello PMDD symptoms. Ugh so hating this.

I called the doctor who I've cancelled on so many times before but 2 unrelated therapists have recommended him and his approach of a 3 hour assessment seems like that's the right thing to do .But man, is he expensive (doesn't take insurance and I can't meet my deductable this year for them to cover it for reimbursement). Oh well. He better be worth it. :)

But on the good side, yes Aidan is going to be 2 and he's doing well. His illness is called virally induced asthma so don't think he's in critical case now. He's on pulmicort 2ce a day as a preventative but is very happy in daycare now and he's Mr. Social. He even has a girlfriend. :)

Thank you so much and I will come by more. I really do think I need some learnings from someone who has 100% been through this. Most of my friends either are the nice but clueless "get help" or others are "get over it. He's healthy."

Congrats on Ryder doing well and of course you .I'm glad you're doing better.

Now to curb these baby #2 pains I've been having so badly.

[adgal]

Hey you!!!!  Long time no see, and so happy to see you posting.  How is Aiden?  Getting so big I bet, time sure does fly doesn't it.  I cannot believe he is 2 already!!

I too had a rough time after Ryder was born.  Like you I had a difficult time conceiving and a few scary moments during pregnancy (his birth was pretty dramatic).  I finally was put on meds when I rushed him to er at our Sick Childrens Hospital, had a complete meltdown and refused to leave completely convinced he couldn't breath and was suffocating. He had a cold.  Apparently this is not normal behaviour..lol.  I stayed on an anti anxiety med for several months, and it has helped dramatically.  During that time I saw a pyschiatrist who has helped me learn to cope and manage on my own, and I just went off the medication.    I had (and still have sometimes) most of the symptoms you describe.

My Dr. thinks I have probably always had anxiety issues.  Combine that with a hugely stressful time conceiving, challenges during pregnancy, and the natural hormonal imbalance that comes with having a baby, and well, you get the idea.  

Talk to your Dr. hon.  You do not have to live or feel like this.  I cannot believe how much better I feel, and am now ttc again.  There is no shame in needing some help.

Miss you, and hope your going to start hanging around again!!  Please pm me anytime if you need to talk.  I do have a pretty good idea how you are feeling.  XOXO