An accurate pregnancy test? How far along am I, for example, is likely to be among your many inquiries. When is my due date, exactly? You may determine your anticipated due date or the potential delivery date of your child with the pregnancy due hcg calculator. Depression can occur during pregnancy.
Antenatal depression is the term used for this. Most persons who suffer from prenatal depression are able to control their condition with assistance and care. The symptoms of prenatal depression may worsen and persist after the baby is delivered if it is not addressed (postnatal depression). Therefore, it’s crucial to get assistance if you do.
What is depression?
Depression is a disorder that causes feelings of sadness and loss of interest in the things you enjoy doing. It affects the way you feel, think, and behave, and it affects your daily life. It needs treatment to get better.
Perinatal depression is depression that occurs during pregnancy or during the first year of the baby’s life. It is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. It affects up to one in seven women (about 15%). This includes postpartum depression (also known as PPD), a type of depression that occurs after pregnancy.
Depression is not your fault. Treatment can help you feel better. Untreated perinatal depression can cause problems for you and your baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think you are depressed.
What are the symptoms of depression during pregnancy?
The signs of depression during pregnancy are the same as at any other time in life. However, it can be harder to spot these signs when you’re pregnant, as some of the challenges of being a parent, such as changing your sleep habits or changing your appetite, can overlap with depression. Please seek help if you have experienced more of the following issues for at least 2 weeks:
• Depressed, numb, or “not feeling at all”
• Feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless
• Crying and being emotional, angry or resentful towards others
• Unexpected changes in sleep or appetite
• Lack of interest or energy to do things
• Thoughts of harming yourself, your baby, or other children
While depression may affect any expectant mother, it may be more probable if you have gone through challenging life events, had a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, or have previously suffered trauma connected to pregnancy or delivery.
You may also be more susceptible to developing prenatal depression if you have a history of depression or other mental health issues (such as bipolar disorder or psychosis). It’s a good idea to get assistance immediately if you experience depression while pregnant because it’s likely to last for some time after your baby is delivered.
What should I do?
Tell your midwife or doctor how you are feeling. At a time when everyone wants them to be happy, some women feel a lot of pain or guilt about being down. Remember that healthcare professionals do not judge you. They understand that depression is a mental illness. It’s not your fault, and it’s not something you just have to “get over” or move on. They will focus on helping you find the right treatment and support so you can take care of yourself and your baby.
If you find it difficult to speak your thoughts and feelings, you can start by writing down what you want to say, or you may want someone to accompany you. The most important thing is to let someone know so you can get the right help as soon as possible. Be sure to tell your midwife or doctor if you have a history of depression, as you are more likely to develop depression during pregnancy or after giving birth. They can then give you the best support to reduce your chances of getting depressed again.
Treatment for depression often includes a combination of self-help, talk therapy (such as counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication). Everyone is different, so treatments that may work for some may not work for others. Your doctor will help you decide which method is best for you. You may also be referred to a perinatal psychiatrist for closer monitoring during and after your pregnancy.
The treatment you receive is your decision. Your doctor can help by talking with you about what you want to do and explaining the risks and benefits of each option. If you want to stop taking medication during pregnancy, but medication is the best way to treat depression, your doctor should discuss with you why you want to stop taking medication and the risk, if any, to you and your baby.
If you understand the risks to you and your baby but still decide to stop taking your medication, your doctor should discuss other options for managing your symptoms with you. For example, they might suggest talk therapy. Depression can make you want to hide from the world and may feel like you don’t want to do anything. But it’s important that you take care of yourself. Start with small activities, do things at your own pace, and most importantly, ask for help when you need it.
What distinguishes prenatal depression from other diseases?
When you hear the phrases prenatal, postnatal, and perinatal depression, you might be confused about how they vary from one another. Postnatal depression appears between a month and a year after delivery, whereas antenatal depression refers to depression that begins during pregnancy. You may also hear the phrase “perinatal depression” used to describe depression that develops before, during, or after pregnancy and childbirth because it can happen anytime around pregnancy.
Why does depression usually happen?
We’re not completely certain. Combinations of factors, such as altered brain chemistry or altered hormone levels, may be to blame. The body produces substances called hormones. Certain hormones have an impact on the areas of the brain that manage mood and mood.
Depression may run in families. The portion of your body’s cells called genes houses the instructions for how your body develops and works. Parents pass on their genes to their children. People with depression are more likely to experience it themselves than those without. A familial history of depression is what is meant by this.
