Depression is a typical problem during and after pregnancy. About 15 percent of pregnant women and brand-new mothers have depression. Pregnancy is supposed to be one of the happiest times of a woman’s life, however for numerous women this is a time of confusion, fear, stress, and even depression. According to The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), between 14-23% of women will battle with some symptoms of depression during and after pregnancy.
Depression is a mood disorder that affects 1 in 4 women eventually during their life time, so it must be no surprise that this illness can likewise touch women who are pregnant. But all frequently, depression is not diagnosed effectively during pregnancy since individuals think it is just another type of hormonal imbalance.
Depression during and after pregnancy is a mood condition much like depression. State of mind conditions are biological illnesses that include changes in brain chemistry.
Depression during and after pregnancy is a health problem that can be treated and handled. However, it is important to seek out help and support first.
During pregnancy, hormone changes can affect the chemicals in your brain, which are directly associated with depression and anxiety. These can be intensified by tough life situations, which can lead to depression during pregnancy.
What are the Signs of Depression During and After Pregnancy?
Women with depression typically experience a few of the following symptoms for 2 weeks or more:
- Relentless unhappiness.
- Problem focusing.
- Sleeping too little or too much.
- Loss of interest in activities that you generally enjoy.
- Repeating thoughts of death, suicide, or despondence.
- Anxiety.
- Sensations of regret or insignificance.
- Change in eating habits.
What are Possible Triggers of Depression During and After Pregnancy?
- Relationship problems.
- Family or personal history of depression.
- Infertility treatments.
- Previous pregnancy loss.
- Difficult life occasions.
- Complications in pregnancy.
- History of abuse or injury.
Can Depression During Pregnancy Cause Harm To My Baby?
Depression that is not treated can have prospective unsafe dangers to the mom and baby. Without treatment depression can lead to poor nutrition, drinking, smoking cigarettes, and self-destructive habits, which can then cause premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental problems. A woman who is depressed frequently does not have the strength or desire to sufficiently take care of herself or her establishing baby.
Babies born to moms who are depressed may be less active, show less attention and be more agitated than children born to mothers who are not depressed. This is why getting the right help is very important for both mommy and baby.
What is the Treatment for Depression During and After Pregnancy?
If you feel you may be fighting with depression, the most essential step is to look for help. Talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and battles. Your healthcare service provider wants the best for you and your baby and might go over alternatives with you for treatment.
Treatment choices for women who are pregnant can include:
- Support system.
- Private psychotherapy.
- Medication.
- Light therapy.
Exist Any Safe Medications to Treat Depression During Pregnancy?
There is a great deal of dispute over the safety and long-term impacts of antidepressant medications taken during pregnancy. Some research now reveals that particular medications used to treat depression may be linked to problems in babies such as physical malformations, heart problems, pulmonary hypertension and low birth weight.
A woman with mild to moderate depression might have the ability to manage her symptoms with support groups, psychiatric therapy and light therapy. However if a pregnant woman is handling severe depression, a mix of psychiatric therapy and medication is typically suggested.
Women need to know that all medications will cross the placenta and reach their children. There is not enough info about which drugs are totally safe and which ones present threats.
However when treating major depression, the dangers and benefits need to be analyzed carefully. The medication that can provide the most help, with the tiniest risk to baby, need to be thought about carefully.
If medication seems like the best treatment for your depression, forming a collaborative treatment team is the best course of action. This would include your prenatal care company and your mental health supplier.
Ask both health care professions about what treatments will be best for you and your baby. Discover if you have choices of medications and study on them.
What long term impacts do they have? Is your baby likely to deal with withdrawal symptoms after birth? Is this medication linked to health problems in the newborn or developmental hold-ups in the future? Also, constantly remember that you have to weigh the possibilities of problems in the future versus the problems that can occur right now if your depression is not treated appropriately.
What About Postpartum Depression?
There is no single cause. Rather, depression most likely arise from a mix of aspects:
- Depression is a mental disorder that has the tendency to run in families. Women with a family history of depression are more likely to have depression.
- Changes in brain chemistry or structure are believed to play a big role in depression.
- Difficult life events, such as death of a loved one, taking care of an aging relative, abuse, and hardship, can activate depression.
- Hormonal aspects distinct to women might contribute to depression in some women. We know that hormones straight impact the brain chemistry that manages feelings and mood. We also know that women are at higher risk of depression at certain times in their lives, such as the age of puberty, during and after pregnancy, and during perimenopause. Some women also have depressive symptoms right before their period.
Depression after giving birth is called postpartum depression. Hormone changes may trigger symptoms of postpartum depression. When you are pregnant, levels of the female hormones estrogen (ESS-truh-jen) and progesterone (proh-JESS-tur-ohn) increase considerably. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, hormone levels rapidly return to typical. Researchers believe the big change in hormone levels might lead to depression. This is much like the way smaller hormone changes can impact a woman’s state of minds prior to she gets her period.
Levels of thyroid hormones may also drop after giving birth. The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that helps control how your body uses and stores energy from food. Low levels of thyroid hormones can cause symptoms of depression. A basic blood test can tell if this condition is triggering your symptoms. If so, your doctor can recommend thyroid medicine.
Other factors may contribute in postpartum depression. You might feel:
- Exhausted after delivery.
- Worn out from an absence of sleep or broken sleep.
- Overwhelmed with a new baby.
- Doubts about your capability to be an excellent mom.
- Stress from changes in work and home regimens.
- An impractical have to be an ideal mommy.
- Loss of who you were before having the baby.
- Less appealing.
- An absence of leisure time.
Are Some Women More at Risk for Depression During and After Pregnancy?
Particular elements might increase your risk of depression during and after pregnancy:
- A personal history of depression or another mental disorder.
- A family history of depression or another mental illness.
- An absence of support from family and friends.
- Anxiety or unfavorable sensations about the pregnancy.
- Problems with a previous pregnancy or birth.
- Marriage or money problems.
- Demanding life occasions.
- Young age.
- Substance abuse.
Women who are depressed during pregnancy have a higher risk of depression after giving birth. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for depression during and after pregnancy, despite a woman’s risk factors for depression.
Depression During and After Pregnancy. How is Depression Treated?
With the debate relating to using some antidepressants during pregnancy, many women have an interest in other methods to help treat depression. As mentioned above, support groups, psychotherapy and light therapy are alternatives to using medication when treating mild to moderate depression.
In addition to these, you might wish to talk with your healthcare service providers about a few of the other natural ways to assist ease the symptoms of depression.
Workout
Exercise naturally increases serotonin levels and reduces cortisol levels.
Get adequate rest — Lack of sleep significantly impacts the body and mind’s ability to manage stress and day to day difficulties. Deal with developing a routine sleep schedule that has you falling asleep and getting up at the same time.
Diet and Nutrition
Many foods have been linked to mood changes, the capability to manage stress and psychological clearness. Diets high in caffeine, sugar, processed carbohydrates, artificial ingredients and low protein can all cause concerns concerning your mental and physical health. Make a conscious choice to begin fueling your body with the foods that can help you feel better.
Acupuncture
New research studies report acupuncture to be a viable alternative in treating depression in pregnant women.
Omega-3 fatty acids
For years its been understand that omega-3 can help with a number of health issues, however the newest research studies are showing that taking a day-to-day supplement of omega-3/ fish oils can decrease symptoms of depression. Pregnant women would wish to make sure to take a mercury totally free version of fish oil and examine with their care provider or nutritionist on a recommended amount.
Herbal remedies
There are a number of herbal and vitamin supplements known to impact moods and the hormone serotonin. Talk with your healthcare supplier and nutritionist/herbalist about whether to use St John’s Wort, SAM-e, 5-HTP, magnesium, vitamin B6 and flower remedies. Much of these can not be used in conjunction with antidepressants and must be examined on the dose for pregnant women.
If you do not feel comfortable talking with your healthcare company about your sensations of depression, find somebody else to talk with. It is essential that someone understands what you are handling and can try to help you. Never ever aim to face depression alone. Your baby needs you to seek help and get treatment.
Health Tips
Call your doctor if:
- Your baby blues do not disappear after 2 weeks
- Symptoms of depression get increasingly more intense
- Symptoms of depression start at any time after delivery, even lots of months later
- It is hard for you to carry out tasks at work or at home
- You can not care for yourself or your baby
- You have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
Your doctor can ask you concerns to test for depression. Your doctor can likewise refer you to a psychological health specialist who concentrates on treating depression.
Some women do not inform anybody about their symptoms. They feel ashamed, embarrassed, or guilty about feeling depressed when they are expected to be happy. They fret they will be considered as unfit parents.
Any woman may become depressed during pregnancy or after having a baby. It does not indicate you are a bad or “not together” mama. You and your baby don’t have to suffer. There is help.
Good luck! Have a nice weekend.
