| At one time, doctors believed that the | | | | |
| hormones associated with pregnancy were a | | | | Doctors feel that there are several major |
| good protection against depression. In more | | | | causes which can contribute to a depression |
| recent years, however, there has been a | | | | during pregnancy. Having an existing history |
| growing body of evidence that depression | | | | of clinical depression or PMDD (Premenstrual |
| during pregnancy is a serious problem, | | | | Dysphoric Disorder, a severe type of |
| affecting 10-20% of all women - the same | | | | premenstrual syndrome or PMS) is paramount |
| proportion that women as whole suffer without | | | | among these, as a predisposition to the |
| adding pregnancy into the equation. With | | | | disorder can increase the chance that |
| figures like that and with the added concern | | | | pregnancy and its attendant stresses will |
| that depression can factor into the health of | | | | bring on an episode. Age at time of pregnancy |
| the baby, it is important to know something | | | | is also a factor -- the younger the woman is, |
| about how depression and pregnancy are | | | | the higher the risk of depression. |
| connected. | | | | |
| | | | There are also environmental factors to |
| First, it's important to recognize what | | | | consider. If the woman is living alone, |
| depression is and what the symptoms are. | | | | without the support of a partner, and has |
| | | | limited social support; if there are already |
| Depression is a mood disorder that may have | | | | multiple children in the family, or there is |
| both biological and behavioral roots. | | | | a history of marital conflict and ambivalence |
| Although healthy women frequently experience | | | | about the pregnancy, there is a greatly |
| some of the following symptoms during a | | | | increased risk of a significant clinical |
| pregnancy, depression is usually diagnosed | | | | depression. |
| when the patient experiences three or more of | | | | |
| the following symptoms in the space of two | | | | If a pregnant woman believes that she is |
| weeks: | | | | experiencing depression, she should seek |
| | | | medical advice immediately. This is not a |
| * A sense that nothing feels enjoyable or fun | | | | condition that will simply go away; treatment |
| anymore | | | | to avoid the serious consequences listed |
| | | | above is vital. |
| * Feeling blue, sad, or "empty" for most of | | | | |
| the day, every day | | | | Fortunately, there are many ways to treat |
| | | | depression during pregnancy. One of the most |
| * Difficulty concentrating | | | | important is for the woman to take a step |
| | | | back and realize that she may not have to do |
| * Extreme irritability, agitation, or | | | | everything she did before the pregnancy. If a |
| excessive crying | | | | social network and supportive partner are |
| | | | available, much of the self-imposed stress of |
| * Trouble sleeping or sleeping all the time | | | | trying to maintain a normal, pre-pregnancy |
| | | | routine can be alleviated by doing less while |
| * Extreme or never-ending fatigue | | | | others take up the slack. If these resources |
| | | | are not available, psychotherapy is an |
| * A desire to eat all the time or not wanting | | | | effective way to help the patient get at root |
| to eat at all | | | | causes of feelings of helplessness and low |
| | | | self-worth, thus allowing her to cope better. |
| If a woman experiences three or more of | | | | |
| these, she may be suffering from clinical | | | | Self care is critical - developing good |
| depression and should report the symptoms to | | | | sleeping habits, regular diet and exercise |
| her doctor. | | | | routines and the like are also effective |
| | | | treatments. Medications are also available, |
| Depression is a serious disorder, and is more | | | | but as with any drugs taken during pregnancy, |
| than just having "the blues." Untreated | | | | there are risks that must be considered. Some |
| depression can interfere with a woman's | | | | antidepressants have been associated with |
| ability to care for her self during | | | | serious side effects for the baby; any use of |
| pregnancy, and can push a woman to neglect | | | | these drugs should be discussed carefully |
| vital personal care, thus hurting her unborn | | | | with a trained doctor so that risks are |
| child. In extreme cases, the condition can | | | | balanced against the benefits. Keeping in |
| also put her at risk for suicide, and for | | | | mind that depression is a serious illness; |
| abuse of substances such as tobacco, alcohol, | | | | there are times when the benefits of treating |
| and illegal drugs. Depression may also | | | | a depressive episode with drugs outweigh the |
| interfere with the ability to bond with the | | | | possible downside. |
| child, and can also increase the risk for | | | | |
| having an episode of depression after | | | | As with any medical condition that occurs |
| delivery (postpartum depression). In | | | | during a pregnancy, depression requires a |
| addition, recent studies have shown the | | | | skilled diagnosis and treatment by a trusted |
| possibility of links between depression in | | | | specialist. Women who are at risk for |
| the mother and such serious conditions as | | | | depression or who are experiencing the |
| premature delivery, low birth weight, | | | | symptoms owe it to themselves to address the |
| spontaneous miscarriage, and gestational | | | | problem as soon as possible. |
| hypertension, or preeclampsia. | | | | |