How do you deal with pregnancy depression?

Since I have been pregnant I have decided to give up my career in the Army since my husband is in and be a mom. Well that means a big life change. Now I'm on strict bed-rest due to pre-term labor and am staying home all day, bored out of my mind and the stress keeps pilling on. I've had a car wreck my back can't heal due to the weight of my belly, my truck is messing up, my finances are going crazy, my husband is leaving for Iraq possibly before the baby is born, I got bit by a spider and my leg is all swollen and it hurts to walk, and on and on. Now I spend all the time I have with my husband fighting over stupid things and it is really starting to get to me. I feel so lost and worried and sad. I know I need to do something to keep from losing it, but I don't know what. I want to be able to love my husband every second he is here, but I can't help the rage and uselessness I feel inside. Someone please help me.

Public Comments

1. You need to relax and try to stay stress free, I know its easier said than done but, think of the beautiful lil baby inside of you. It will get better, rent some good movies, read books, call a girlfriend and "vent". You body is going through alot of changes right now. You need to sit down w/ your husband and let him know how you are feeling. I'm sure he is feeling some of the same things because after all, he is in this with you. Good Luck
2. Whoa...sounds like you're going through alot right now! Maybe you should consider going to counseling to try and work through your feelings...I'm sure they're perfectly normal, but it sounds like they're really bothering you and interfering with your marriage. I started going to counseling and to my surprise, I really like it. It's nice to talk to a person who has no bias, just good advice. As far as treating the depression, I would think you treat it the same as any other depression...sounds like you can't exercise, but try and stay active somehow, maybe just small stretches or something. Anyway, I would really encourage you to consider seeing a therapist..it does help. Good Luck!!
3. I havent ever went through what you are, I am sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time. Try and talk to your doc. maybe he can help. Or you can call your mom or friends and have them come over to spend some time with. Again, Im sorry that you are having all of these horrible problems but just think that your baby is coming and try to focus on a pregnancy project or something.
4. The great thing is you have realized there's a problem and you're reasching out...you'd be a lot worse off if you were trying to deny it all or shoulder it all on your own.Please let your husband know you are feeling depressed and try to do something loving and fun together to get re-connected w/ him. I definitely think you should try to see a professional therapist or counselor...it can REALLY help. In the meantime, keep reaching out to friends or even here on yahoo. You are not alone in these feelings.I love the saying "In the big movie of your life this is a small scene." Keep that in mind..in a few months you'll have your baby and a new, amazing chapter of your life will begin. Good luck and hang in there!
5. Do you know any other wives in the military?If you do, call one of them up and ask if they could come over and hang out with you. Tell them it'a n emergency. Don't call any hags that will tell you to toughen up and get over it. They're the worst.There's no reason for you to have to suffer alone.Get your husband to go to the library and bring you books on dvd or cassette.Also tell him to go to the drug store and get some facial clay to put on your spider bite.Queen Helene is a good brand. Gob it on pretty thick and let it dry. It might take about an hour &15 minutes to dry while it's pulling the toxins from the bite out of your leg. Do it once everyday until the swelling goes down.Can you afford an at home massage? They have special pregnancy pillows that cradle the uterus so you can lie face down and get worked on. You sound like you need to get some stress relief and massage will really help. Last but not least can you buy a used small dorm sized frig to keep your bed?You could keep drinks and snacks near by so you won't have to get up and strain your leg too often.I'm not going to tell you to try to be positive , I only suggest that you ask for help from wherever you can get it and don't try to be a hero and suffer silently on your own.Try these few things and see if you don't feel a little better. Eh, we all fight with our husbands over stupid stuff.Don't sweat it. He has to understand that YOU need some extra sensitivity and caring right now as much as he does for having to leave.Most men are willing to do anything to shut us up, lol,so give the guy a chance to help you out. Hope this helps a little.
6. Had an abortion. It saved my life.