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Mental health in early pregnancy – the first trimester

Posted on April 16, 2017April 17, 2017 by Clare Foster
A quick summary:
  • Disrupting the balance
  • Taking antidepressants, managing eating problems and dealing with depression and anxiety
  • Preparation and support
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Disrupting the balance

Little Foster-Pickup waves hello

I’m pretty good at managing my mental health. I know what helps, what doesn’t and how to recognise when I need to take better care of myself or ask for extra support.

But early pregnancy disrupted this balance. I’m nearly 17 weeks now and finally ready to write about the first trimester.

Awareness of perinatal mental health is increasing. Most people know about postnatal depression but I’ve seen more conversations about antenatal depression, perinatal anxiety and postpartum psychosis too. I’ve heard less about how to prepare for the way dramatic physical and psychological changes can interact with existing problems.

Taking antidepressants, managing eating problems and dealing with depression and anxiety

It turns out I’ve got a lot to say so I have separated them into three blogs.

  • Antidepressants (Sertraline) and pregnancy
  • Eating problems and early pregnancy
  • Depression and anxiety in the first trimester


Opening up

As I move through the second trimester I’m feeling less sick. I’ve got lots more energy. My ability to manage my muddled eating is back to pre-pregnancy levels and I have started to enjoy exercise again. Opening up on Facebook and to friends has helped. I’m lucky to have so many people around who understand. But I need to be aware that things will keep changing. I’ll have to readjust my relationship to exercise and my body again and again as I get bigger.

Could I have prepared better? I’m not sure how I could have done things differently. Everything is so unexpected, uncertain and changeable – it’s not something I could really imagine until I was in the middle of it.

Preparation and support

Pah…

And next trimester (and indeed next time – if there is one) will probably be very different. Maybe we can prepare a little – read information, talk and share stories. This is important. The myth of pregnancy as a perfectly calm, exciting and enjoyable time is still pervasive. But we’ll never be completely sure how these complex chemical and environmental interactions will affect us. We need to make sure we admit when things are harder that we expected and ask for whatever help is available.

I have a referral to an obstetrician who specialises in mental health – but my appointment isn’t until June. In the meantime, I spoke to an amazing midwife who agreed that 27 weeks in was very late for starting any additional perinatal mental health support. She said the most sensible thing I have done is stay on the Sertraline and referred me to see a psychologist a little earlier. I’m not sure how (or if) these appointments will help but I’m keeping an open mind and making sure I have as much support in place as possible in case things get harder again.

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1 thought on “Mental health in early pregnancy – the first trimester”

  1. Kacy says:
    May 29, 2017 at 10:29 pm

    This is very informative

    Reply

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Wow! This is a wonderful example how good consultation and understanding your audience can lead to great quality information! The consultation, planning, and promotional plans show excellence in producing health information. This shows through in the end products – high quality and extremely well-tailored to the audience. The insight and thought that has gone into this is commendable. 

Dr Hannah R Bridges – HB Health Comms Ltd

Clare created fantastic bespoke moderator training and helped us develop our brand-new survivors’ community. She went out of her way to ensure that the training met our needs exactly by engaging in various in-depth discussions and learning about our sector. But beyond that, she also helped us to build our vision for the community and the community guidelines; created an editable handbook for our future use and changing needs as the community grows; and offered ongoing support with tweaking the training as the forum develops.

Venice Fielding - Cardiff Women's Aid

Clare highlights the wide range of feelings and reactions during and after pregnancy loss, the different impact that each experience can have on each individual and the diverse needs of those affected. Just as important, she acknowledges the difficulty of those who want to offer help, but aren’t sure how to, or when. She makes it easier for them to understand and empathise, and offers practical suggestions with knowledge and also with humility… This is what makes for such a special book, for which many many people will be grateful.

Ruth Bender Atik, National Director, The Miscarriage Association
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