Is any support available?

66andrew99

My partner is currently three months pregnant and off work (using her holiday entitlement) due to constant nausea, tiredness, fainting and various other pregnancy related symptoms.

She's gotten very depressed over the past couple of weeks (She has a history of depression and anxiety and has received some limited therapy and frequent antidepressant prescriptions) and is finding it difficult to find the motivation to get up, dressed, washed and is hardly eating, she's already had a trip to the hospital to be treated for dehydration.

The problem is without me at home to encourage and motivate her to eat and wash etc, she just wouldn't do it.

She begged me to finish work early today and come home to help her and has asked me to stay off indefinitely to support her.

I am reluctant to stop working, especially with our first child due in March 2011 and also partially due to the stigma of being unemployed, but I also desperately want to offer the support that she needs while she is struggling to cope.

Would she be entitled to claim ESA or even DLA and if so could I claim anything as her carer?

Thanks in advance for all for the constructive comments.

lynzpower

Is she getting medical support from GP/ mental health team?

I would not be giving up my job if I were you its not good at all .

I think seeing a social worker for an initial assessment will also help as there could be good support put in place for the inevitable sounding post natal depression that sounds rather likely to me I think.

66andrew99

She's been prescribed Sertraline 50mg by our GP for the depression and also had a short CBT course at the surgery.

She has been on ESA before but when the depression lifted she was able to return to work for a time.

dmg24

Why is she using her holiday entitlement - would she not be entitled to SSP/ Occupational Sick Pay?

The Community Mental Health Team should be able to refer her to the Antenatal MH Team if they feel she needs it.

66andrew99

Work asked her if she wanted to use her holidays because some days she would feel okay and wanted the flexibility to go in whenever she felt well enough, as it happened she hasn't been in for three weeks now.

Duncombe

I will presume your partners GP knew she was pregnant before prescribing Sertraline?

Oldernotwiser

I don't think that you should give up work either. Starting a family whilst on benefits is likely to be stressful for both of you and won't be good for the baby.

Is she happy to be pregnant or do you think that this is the cause of the depression?

Oldernotwiser

Duncombe wrote: »

I will presume your partners GP knew she was pregnant before prescribing Sertraline?

It seems to be ok in the first two trimesters of pregnancy.

dmg24

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

It seems to be ok in the first two trimesters of pregnancy.

Agreed, and my psych has no problems prescribing it throughout pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.

(I'm not pg ... yet! )

66andrew99

Yeah, GP knew she was pregnant and said there are no documented side effects during pregnancy. Have just spoken to the local mental health team, they need a referral from our GP, will make an appointment tomorrow and see where we go from there.

She's always struggled with depression and I think the pregnancy is making it more acute.

Due to the fainting the doctor advised her to not go out alone, which, if no one is around, makes her feel like a prisoner in her own home, coupled with the anxiety she now gets when she does go out in case she faints.

Duncombe

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

It seems to be ok in the first two trimesters of pregnancy.

My point was more about the GP knowing the woman was pregnant. Can do funny old things to a womans body including inducing depression (I know ^^). Really good point about the pregnany and whether or not that could be causing stress for the OP's partner.

Good luck dmg - let us know when you're due :rotfl: