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