Everything You Need To Know About Prenatal Depression
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In recent times many of us have been made aware of what postpartum depression is. Thanks to experts we now understand how common it is, and how women can cope with it. But did you know experts are realizing that depression and mood disorders are far more prevalent than they previously thought? The collective term used is perinatal depression, which refers to both depression experienced during pregnancy (prenatal) and depression after birth (postpartum). But prenatal depression can differ from postpartum depression in many ways. It has its own effects on the mother-to-be and should be taken seriously. If you’d like to know more about what it is and how to handle it, this is the article for you.
In This Article
What Causes Prenatal Depression?
Generally, depression can be the cause of ongoing sadness and loss of interest in things that you used to derive pleasure and enjoyment from. It’s the most common mood disorder in women, affecting them twice as often as men. The onset of depression is highest during a woman’s reproductive years (1). However, it is imperative that you know that depression and anxiety during pregnancy is not caused by anything you do or don’t do during this time. They are medical conditions which are the result of various physical, emotional and environmental situations.
While anyone is susceptible to prenatal depression, you are more predisposed to experience it if you or your family members have a history of anxiety and panic disorders, mental illnesses including obsessive compulsive disorder or mood disorders like depression. It is also more common when you are not well supported by your family, friends and community, having an unplanned pregnancy, experiencing a violent partner or getting pregnant after having infertility issues. You are also more likely to experience prenatal depression if you are under a lot of stress and drugs. For example, a divorce, work related issues, health problems or financial difficulties.
Prenatal Depression Symptoms
Unfortunately a lot of prenatal depression symptoms closely resemble those of pregnancy. You are likely to feel extremely fatigued and tired, gain weight, have insomnia or experience mood swings and emotional changes. As a result of so much overlap, prenatal depression often goes undiagnosed.
However there are certain symptoms of prenatal depression you should look out for. Heightened anxiety, crying and weeping often for reasons you can’t pinpoint, difficulty sleeping or staying asleep for long periods of time, changes in appetite and sudden weight loss or weight gain, exhaustion and low energy are all signs that you may suffer from prenatal depression. It is especially true if you have trouble deriving pleasure from activities you used to be engaged in or have poor fetal connection, that is, you have trouble connecting with your developing baby (2).
How To Treat And Manage Prenatal Depression
1. Medication
Thankfully it is possible to successfully treat moms-to-be and new moms who suffer from prenatal or postpartum depression with the use of medication, talk therapy or a combination of both. Certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs as they are more commonly called are generally considered safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding people (3). Doctors most commonly prescribe these antidepressants to pregnant women. However it is important to keep in mind that prolonged periods of depression can be harmful for you and your baby. Make sure to sit down with your medical advisor and make a joint decision on the best course of action to treat your prenatal depression.
2. Therapy And Alternative Treatments
Many people find that talk therapy also works wonders with conjunction to medication or even by itself. It can be a relief to have a safe space to vent about any negative emotions you are experiencing or coping with some not-so-ideal scenarios. However, therapy is not limited to just speech therapy. According to a Stanford University study of the women who received acupuncture that was depression-specific, 63% responded well (4).Sometimes you simply need a massage in order to relax and de-stress. You have options and alternate forms of treatment that you can avail to deal with prenatal depression.
3. Natural Treatments And Lifestyle Changes
There are several lifestyle choices that you can make in order to cope well with prenatal depression. For example, getting some form of physical exercise. Do some baby friendly exercises or take a pregnancy yoga class to break a sweat and keep you active. Take your prenatal vitamins and eat nutritious and well balanced meals. Try meditation and breathing exercises whenever you feel overwhelmed or stressed. Although this may seem obvious, don’t smoke or consume alcohol while pregnant and always show up for your prenatal appointments. And lastly, find a support network. Go to a support group or simply talk to friends and family about what you are going through.
If you are experiencing prenatal depression know that your partner, family and friends are there to help you get through it. No matter how you feel, you are not alone. You can reach out for help, professional or otherwise.
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