Depression in Pregnancy

When Depresssion Happens in Pregnancy?

Depression can happen to a woman during pregnancy, before pregnancy and even after pregnancy. Thus there are three types of depression that can happen during pregnancy.

• Perinatal Depression
• Baby Blues
• Postpartum Depression

Don't know exact number of women that suffers from depression before and after pregnancy. But it is most common for women that they depress during pregnancy.

What is The Difference Between "Postpartum" and "Baby Blues"?

Postpartum and Baby blues differ in duration and even its effects are also different on mother and her child. Thus the depression after childbirth is called as baby blues and the depression within one year after childbirth are called as postpartum. Baby blues appears on third or fourth day after delivery whereas postpartum depression appears at any time within one year after delivery.

Causes of Depression During Pregnancy

Depression that happens to a woman before pregnancy is called as perinatal depression.

• Hereditary
• In relative if some one suffers from mental illness
• Increased anxiety about baby
• Financial problem
• Worrying about problems that happen during previous pregnancy

Depression that can happen to woman after pregnancy is called as postpartum depression. Main cause is that link between the rapid drop in hormones after delivery and depression. The level of estrogen and progesterone in women are increased tenfold during pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone, these are the female reproductive hormones. After three days, levels of these hormones drop back to pre-pregnant levels. These changes we can call as chemical changes. There are also social and psychological changes associated with baby.

Pregnancy Depression Symptoms

Symptoms of pregnancy depression is as follows

• Loss of interest in life
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• More sleep than usual
• Increased crying
• Feeling anxious
• Unexpected weight loss or weight gain
• Fear of harming the baby or oneself
• Sluggishness
• Fatigue
• Exhaustion

Can Pregnancy Depression be Prevented?

Yes, using following tips you can prevent pregnancy depression.

• Be realistic about your expectation
• Limit visitors
• Take help from your close one
• Take rest
• Take exercise
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Take good diet
• Spend time with your partner

Some Helpful Tips

• Take rest as much as you want
• When your baby takes a nap, at that time you also try to take the nap
• Don't put pressure on yourself
• Take help from your family members
• Frankly talk about your feeling with your husband, mother, father, your friends or any one who is close to you
• Always spend time with someone. Don't stay alone for longer period
• Don't make any major decision about life during pregnancy

Pregnancy Depression Treatment

Pregnancy depression needs special treatment. There are two types of treatment that can reduce depression.

• Psychotherapy
• Medication

The treatment includes following steps

• Medical evaluation to rule out physiological problems
• Psychotherapy
• Possible medication
• Support group

It is important that women should continue with treatment even after they start feeling better.

• Self Help for Depression
• End Depression Now
• Conquer Stress, Depression & Anxiety