After the baby is born, some women suffer from a mood disorder called postpartum depression, which is a common and sometimes serious condition. There is a similar mood disorder called antepartum depression during pregnancy, but it doesn’t get enough attention. Let’s learn about the characteristics of prenatal depression, how it differs from other conditions, and how to seek effective help. ##What is prenatal depression? The symptoms of prenatal depression vary from person to person, and every woman experiences it differently. Diagnosis of this disorder is difficult for two reasons. First, pregnancy is portrayed as a beautiful state by the media and society. Many women feel ashamed of their negative emotions during pregnancy. Second, some symptoms of depression are difficult to distinguish from “normal” reactions to pregnancy, such as fatigue, changes in appetite, and mood swings. Some symptoms of depression—such as feeling powerless—are similar to common problems with pregnancy. Talk to your doctor to find out why you’re uncomfortable and to get help for prenatal depression if you have any of the following symptoms: - Feeling confused, sad, or apathetic - Difficulty concentrating - No sense of happiness or normal interest in you Loss of interest in favorite things - Low energy - Thoughts of self-harm or suicide ##What are the influencing factors of prenatal depression? Depression is one of the most common mental health problems among adults. About 15% of women experience depression at some point in their lives, and mood swings during and after pregnancy are common. You are more likely to develop antenatal depression or other mood disorders if you have one or more of the following risk factors: - You live in a low-income family: Statistics show that women in low-income countries are more likely to develop prenatal depression or other mood disorders than women in high-income countries. Women are more likely to suffer from prenatal depression. - You didn’t plan the pregnancy: Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy is a common and legitimate trigger for prenatal depression. - You have a history of mental health issues: You may revisit your previous struggles with depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, or panic attacks during your pregnancy. - Your life is stressful: Everyone experiences stress. But if you encounter a stressful situation during pregnancy — such as marital conflict, job loss, or a family health crisis — your risk for prenatal depression increases. - You have been diagnosed with diabetes: Some women develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, while others are diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy. This condition (as well as other chronic conditions) can increase your risk of developing prenatal depression. ##What are the dangers of prenatal depression? You probably already know that postpartum depression can be harmful to new mothers and their babies. Women with postpartum depression may distance themselves from their newborns, stay in bed all day, or struggle with unnecessary anger. The dangers of prenatal depression are that it affects your self-care during pregnancy. During this period, your baby needs nutrition from you. If your depression interferes with your ability to take prenatal vitamins, eat healthily, or have regular checkups, your baby’s health will suffer. In the mild stages of the condition, you may feel anxious and hopeless about the future (or the pregnancy itself). In severe cases, prenatal depression can cause panic, insomnia, self-harm, and anger. ##How do I treat prenatal depression? If you think you may have prenatal depression, seek evaluation from your doctor as soon as possible. Prenatal depression may be more common than you think, and there are many scientific treatments for prenatal depression that are safe for you and your baby. **drug. ** Many people who are not pregnant take antidepressants to relieve symptoms of depression. Certain medications can be used safely to treat depression during pregnancy, but they should be prescribed based on your current condition, medical history, and health risks to your baby. Some antidepressants, such as paroxetine, can cause heart problems in babies, while others, such as sertraline, are generally safe. You may want to avoid taking medications during pregnancy, but it’s still important to address depression. Stay away from antidepressant herbs like St. John’s Wort, which have not been proven safe during pregnancy. **exercise. ** While exercise may not relieve more severe forms of prenatal depression, it can help improve mood. It’s important to get your doctor’s approval before starting an exercise program, and proceed with caution if you have risk factors such as preterm labor, a history of pregnancy, or placental problems. Try doing relaxing exercises during pregnancy – maybe walking for about 30 minutes a day to start – if your doctor agrees. **consult. **Mental health counseling is a great option for treating prenatal depression because it poses no physical risk to you or your baby. You may wish to attend counseling alone or with your partner. **Cognitive behavioral therapy. ** Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that can help you change your thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms of depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you identify and challenge your negative thoughts, as well as learn more positive coping strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be effective for prenatal depression without side effects. **Interpersonal Therapy. ** Interpersonal therapy is another form of psychotherapy that can help you improve your relationships with others, thereby improving your mood and self-esteem. Interpersonal therapy can help you address issues in your relationships that may be causing depression, such as communication breakdown, conflict, isolation, or lack of support. Interpersonal therapy has also been shown to be effective for prenatal depression without side effects. ##Will prenatal depression disappear on its own? Depression is caused by many factors, so it’s impossible to predict whether someone’s prenatal depression will resolve naturally. It’s not a good idea to expect depression to go away—especially when your baby’s health is also affected. If you feel unwell during pregnancy, be sure to talk to your doctor. Your symptoms may be caused by pregnancy hormones, or they may point to a more serious problem. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you’ll start feeling better. ##Can I prevent prenatal depression? Experts recommend doing both cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy (to help you identify issues in your relationships that may be contributing to depression) to help prevent depression during pregnancy. However, prenatal depression involves many factors that are outside of your control, such as life stress, medical conditions, and hormonal changes. Currently, it is not possible to prevent all prenatal depression. Prenatal depression can be mild or severe. Avoiding treatment may seem like the easier option, but if you ignore this mood disorder, you could be putting your health and the health of your unborn baby at risk. Talk to your doctor, nurse midwife, or mental health counselor as soon as possible to learn more about your condition and its treatment options.
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