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