Does Depression Affect Pregnant Women?

During pregnancy, your body will go through several changes including your emotions. Most changes may be stressful and may lead to depression. It is important to reach out to your doctor or anyone who will be your support throughout your gestation. 

What is Depression?

Depression is a condition that affects your mental and emotional state. A feeling of sadness or dejection is common to everyone, but in the case of depression, it can sometimes become intense, last for long periods, and prevent you from leading a normal life. 

Why Can Pregnancy Cause Depression in Some Women?

The emotions you felt are not your fault. Everything is valid and you must be heard. During pregnancy, hormone changes can affect brain chemicals and cause dejection and anxiety. Sometimes, pregnant women do not realize they are sad. They may think they have symptoms of pregnancy which many women experience right after birth. 

There is no specific cause of this condition during pregnancy but it is believed that the changes in your hormones can trigger the condition. Hormones are chemicals made by the body and some of them can affect the parts of the brain that control emotions and mood.

It can also be due to genetic factors. Genes are parts of your body’s cells that store instructions for the way your body grows and works. These are passed from parents to children. This condition is more common in people who have a family history of depression. 

Symptoms of Depression During Pregnancy

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  • Excessive anxiety about your baby
  • Low self-esteem or a feeling of inadequacy about parenthood
  • Poor adherence to prenatal care
  • Smoking, drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs
  • Poor weight gain due to a decreased or inadequate diet
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • The inability to experience pleasure from activities 
  • Poor response to reassurance

What Kind Of Depression Can You Get During Pregnancy?

Perinatal Depression

It is a mood disorder that can affect women during pregnancy and after childbirth. It refers to the time before and after the birth of a child. This includes depression that begins during pregnancy and the condition that begins after the baby is born. Mothers with this condition experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that may make it difficult for them to carry out daily tasks, including caring for themselves or others.

What Causes Perinatal Depression?

It is a real medical illness that may occur at any age, status of living, race, culture, and or education. It is not brought by anything or anyone around a pregnant woman. It can be triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Life stress, the physical and emotional demands of childbearing and caring for a new baby, and changes in hormones that occur during and after pregnancy can contribute to the development of this condition.

Can A Mother’s Stress Affect the Baby?

Stress is common but extreme cases may affect the development of the fetus. High levels of stress that persist may cause health problems, like high blood pressure and heart disease. During pregnancy, stress can increase the chances of preterm birth or a low-birthweight baby. Babies born too soon or too small are at increased risk for health problems.

What Causes Stress During Pregnancy?

  • Dealing with the discomforts of gestation such as morning sickness, constipation, being tired, or having a backache.
  • Constant worrying about what to expect during labor and birth or how to take care of your baby. 
  • Hormonal changes can also cause your mood to change. Mood swings can make it harder to handle stress.
  • Problems with your partner or your family, or feeling as if you do not have enough support.

Why Is Treatment for Depression Important?

Immediate treatment is important for pregnant women. Depression if left untreated may lead to several problems including miscarriage or birth defects. During the treatment, you also have to eat the healthy foods your baby needs or have the energy to care for yourself. Depending on the severity of your depression, treatment options might include psychotherapy or antidepressants, or a combination of both. 

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