Depression is very common in pregnant women, although few people are aware of this. According to an article in the British Medical Journal, antenatal depression is even more common than postnatal depression. A research was conducted on 9,000 pregnant women using a clinically approved scale of depression measurement. The study revealed that almost 12% of the women started feeling depressed during their 18th week and 13.5% felt depression on their 32nd week. After their conception, the women’s depression rate fell to 9.1% eight weeks after birth and down to 8.1% after eight months.
Dr. Jonathan Evans, head of the research, stated that it is not always true that women become happy during pregnancy. In fact, there are several studies, which were conducted in the 1960s that suggested that pregnant women are vulnerable to depression.
Antenatal depression may be attributed to hormonal changes, although there is not enough research to support the claim. Since a person is likely to suffer depression because of illnesses, financial difficulties, marriage break-ups, or a death of a loved one, a pregnant woman is also more likely to feel the same way as well given that pregnancy is considered one of the major changes in a person’s life.
In most cases, antenatal depression is experienced by women who undergo unplanned pregnancies. Aside from relationship and financial problems, a woman not supported by her family feels lonely during her pregnancy and is at risk of depression. In some cases, a pregnant woman may be depressed if her own mother has negative views about motherhood. A certain degree of sadness can also result from thinking about sacrificing one’s career for the baby.
In another study, women with a history of mental problem are more prone to antenatal depression. Antenatal depression exposes a woman to a higher risk of postnatal depression, as shown in a research wherein 23% of women who have experienced postnatal depression, first experienced depression during pregnancy. Postnatal depression, on the other hand, leads to behavioural and emotional problems for the baby.
It is not clear how antenatal depression affects a growing foetus. However, psychiatrists have noted that anxiety and stress felt by a mother have an impact on the heart rate patterns of an unborn baby. According to Heather Welford, pregnant women should not worry how their depression could affect the baby because it could only worsen their feelings.
In order to treat depression, a pregnant woman may take specific antidepressants, which should be safely prescribed by doctors. Aside from taking drugs, a depressed woman may also undergo counselling and talk to her family and friends about her feelings. During a depressed state, a person may be tempted to isolate herself from the world, which should be avoided as it may only worsen their condition.
Antenatal depression has similar symptoms with other types of depression, which includes poor self-esteem, lack of confidence, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, sleeping and eating problems, fatigue, being unusually impatient and irritable, indecisiveness, unable to enjoy normally pleasurable activities, and isolation from others.
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