Depression During Pregnancy

Now you know how to get pregnant and while pregnancy can be one of the happiest and most joyful times in a woman’s life, depending upon the situation it can also be a time of great distress, confusion, sadness, fear and even depression. It is estimated that as many as 14-23% of all pregnant woman struggle with some of the symptoms of depression during pregnancy. What makes this fact even more difficult is that a pregnant woman must be much more cautious in treating her depression so as not to harm the developing fetus.

Depression is a relatively common mood disorder that affects as many as 1 in every 4 women at some point throughout their lives. Therefore it is not really surprising to learn that even pregnant woman suffer from this debilitating disorder. However, depression is not easily diagnosed in pregnancy because of the many changes that a woman’s body is going through during this time. Because of the many hormonal changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy (see what to expect during pregnancy), the feeling of despondency and sadness may be attributed to a hormonal imbalance rather than depression.

Depression is a serious condition that can affect both the mother and the baby. Depression is pregnancy can be successfully treated but the first step is to talk to your doctor and find some help and support.

Depression during pregnancy is referred to as antepartum depression. It is a serious mood disorder just like clinical depression but with the added complication of the pregnancy. Mood disorders, such as depression are biological illnesses that typically involve changes in the brain chemistry. Hormone changes during pregnancy can affect brain chemicals, which can contribute directly to added depression and anxiety. Since being pregnant can also be a stressful situation, depending upon the circumstances, it is not surprising that depression can happen during a pregnancy.

A short case of the blues can happen to anyone and it is usually not deemed to be serious. However, if a pregnant woman or anybody actually, has symptoms of depression for 2 weeks or more, they should probably advise their doctor and get help as their depression is likely serious.

Common Symptoms of Pregnancy Depression

• Persistent sadness including crying spells
• Sleeping too little or too much and at unusual times throughout the day
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Loss of interest in things and activities that you usually enjoy
• Anxiety
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
• Hopelessness
• Changes in eating habits, often a lack of appetite

Possible Triggers For Pregnancy Depression

Pregnancy can be a stressful time of change for a woman regardless of the situation. However, if the pregnancy was unplanned or if there are other complications the risks for depression may rise. Some of the possible triggers for depression in pregnancy are:

• Relationship problems
• Financial problems
• Family or personal history or depression
• Stressful life events
• Previous pregnancy losses
• History of abuse or trauma
• Pregnancy complications
• Infertility treatments

The Dangers of Depression During Pregnancy

Untreated pregnancy depression can have potentially dangerous risks for both the mother and the baby. Depression that is not treated can lead to poor nutrition, drinking, smoking or taking drugs along with suicidal behavior. Any and all of these things can lead to premature birth, low birth weight along with developmental problems.

Often a depressed woman does not have the desire or the strength to sufficiently care for either herself or her developing baby. It has been shown that babies born to depressed mothers are likely to be less active, more agitated and irritable and show less attention than babies born to moms who did not suffer from depression. It is important for both the mom and the baby to get the right help to treat depression in pregnancy.

Treatment for Depression During Pregnancy

Every drug will cross over the placenta to the baby during pregnancy so a pregnant woman must be especially careful about consuming any drugs, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter. However, if you are struggling with the effects of depression it is crucial that you talk with your health care provider about your symptoms. He or she can they discuss with you the various options that may be of help. Some treatment options may include:

• Support Groups
• Private Psychological therapies
• Light Therapy
• Changes in Diet and Nutrition plans
• Light Therapy
• Possible medications

Medications to Treat Pregnancy Depression

Since any and all medications that a mother takes during pregnancy can pass the placenta and affect the baby, a woman must be very careful on what medications she consumes while she is pregnant. There has been quite a bit of debate over the long-term effects and the safety of antidepressant medications on a developing fetus. Certain medications for depression have been linked to problems in newborns such as heart problems, pulmonary hypertension, low birth weight and even physical malformations. Therefore, one must be very cautious.

If the depression is just mild to moderate, a woman may be able to control and manage her symptoms without the use of medications. There are support groups, psychotherapy treatments, diet and exercise changes and light therapy which all may be effective. If a pregnant woman is struggling with severe depression, her doctor may prescribe a combination of any of these along with some medication. However, the risks of the depression must outweigh the risks of the medications and that may be difficult to determine.

At this time there is not a great deal of information on which drugs may be safer and which drugs may be more dangerous. If medication is prescribed the medication should be one that offers the most help for the depression with the least amount of risk for the baby. All of these decisions need to be made with the help of your doctor.

If medication seems to be the best course of action to treat the depression, you should discuss every possible option and look into the risks and benefits. Before you try medication you should probably exhaust all other resources for the sake of the baby. Medications during pregnancy can have serious side effects for the unborn baby and you should research and learn about any long-term effects, any withdrawal symptoms that the baby may experience and also any possible health problems or developmental delays that may occur after birth.

Natural Treatments for Depression And Pregnancy

While medications for the treatment of pregnancy depression can be risky, depression itself is still a debilitating disease and treatment may be warranted. Therefore it may be important to look at possible natural ways to treat depression. Support groups, psychotherapy and light therapy are all useful and safe treatments. In addition, you may look into some other possible natural treatments such as:

1. Exercise. Exercise during pregnancy naturally increases serotonin levels as it decreases cortisol levels, which can both be beneficial for depression.

2. Sleep and Rest. Establishing a consistent and adequate sleep routine can be very helpful for the treatment of depression. Pregnancy also increases the need for sleep so Sleep!

3. Diet and Nutrition. Healthy eating can help your pregnancy, Diets high in nutrition are very beneficial for the treatment of depression and for pregnancy and the development of the baby in general. Aim to eat a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy proteins while eliminating sugar, caffeine, processed carbohydrates and artificial additives. Start fueling your body with super nutrition and your body will respond and you will feel better.

4. Acupuncture. Some recent studies have shown that acupuncture can be helpful for the treatment of depression during pregnancy.

5. Omega-3 fatty acids. Some of the newest studies have indicated that daily supplements of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oils can decrease the symptoms of depression. Be sure that the supplement you take is mercury free and also consult your healthcare provider for a recommended amount.

6. While there are herbal remedies that have been proven to be effective for the treatment of depression, these remedies are like drugs in the fact that they will pass over the placenta and reach the baby. Consult your healthcare practitioner before starting any treatment with herbal remedies.

7. Depression during pregnancy can be a serious situation and it is important that you talk with either your healthcare provider or someone else who can be helpful. It is important for you and your baby that you feel as happy and healthy as possible so you can deliver a happy and healthy baby.