Depression during Pregnancy
Most times when people talk about pregnancy, they speak of the great joys, the physical pain and the anticipation of becoming a mother; however, the fact that at least one in ten women (10%) live with depression during pregnancy.
It used to be that health care providers believed that pregnancy hormones were a protection against depression; this meant that women were more vulnerable immediately after birth when their hormone levels plummeted. However, research has shown that the rapid change in hormones at the beginning of pregnancy can trigger a such a change in brain chemistry that it can lead to depression. These hormonal changes can make a woman feel even more anxious about her pregnancy and this anxiety can and should be treated.
Unfortunately, this pregnancy-induced depression & anxiety can go undiagnosed because women may chalk their feelings up to the belief that “every” woman gets moody during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and even slightly feel that your depression is more than what it “normally” is for you, please don’t be shy and speak up. Tell someone who cares, or call your physician. There are medications and treatments that are safe for pregnant women. Your physical health is affected by your mental health (I wrote a post about this a while back, remember?) and so being treated for your depression & anxiety during pregnancy is one of the smartest actions you can take.
Tuesday; Treatments for depression & anxiety during pregnancy.
mental and emotional health, depression, anxiety, pregnancy, depression during pregnancy, anxiety during pregnancy, hormones, brain chemistry, birth, depression treatments during pregnancy, anxiety treatments during pregnancy
July 14th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
I was definitely more vulnerable during my pregnancy and was upset after pregnancy. But the phase passed.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:00 pm
[…] pregnancy. If you are pregnant and even slightly feel that your … article continues at Sarah brought to you by Depression and Clinical […]
August 20th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
That is good advice you give women, seeking out support is crucial, and while there are safe medications one can take to help battle the symptoms there are also dangerous medications. I have an internet resource which I would like to share with your readers, it provides information on dangerous/defective drugs. Of particular relevance for pregnant women is the antidepressant Paxil, which can lead to birth defects. I hope you find the information of use. Thanks.