Depression during pregnancy
Feeling depressed while you are pregnant can be confusing. You may wonder why you feel so sad during a time when you thought you would feel happy. Many women (about one in 10) get depressed while pregnant. Women who had depression before are more likely to develop it during pregnancy. So are women whose close relatives had depression.
What are the symptoms of depression during pregnancy?
Symptoms of depression during pregnancy include:
- Two or more weeks of persistent sadness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
- A change in appetite and/or sleep patterns
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Thoughts of suicide
- Extreme restlessness and irritability
It's easy to miss depression when you're pregnant. Some of the symptoms of depression (like feeling tired and a change in sleeping and eating patterns) are also part of a normal pregnancy. But it's important to find and treat depression. When depression is severe,you may not eat properly, get enough rest, or get prenatal care. These factors may cause you to have your baby before the due date. They may also cause the baby to be underweight.
What can I do about depression during pregnancy?
Ask for help! Many women suffer needlessly because they don't ask for help. Usually a team of health care professionals will work with you if you are depressed or at risk for depression. Together, you and your team decide what is best for you and your baby. Team members include:
- Your doctor and/or a mental health professional
- The doctor who will take care of your baby after birth
Treatment options
Treatment helps the symptoms of depression so you feel better and can live a healthier life. The main treatments for depression are medication and/or talking with a therapist.
As with any illness, more than one type of medication may be used to find what works best for you. It's important to know that medications may take some time to start working, and they affect different people in different ways. Be sure to let your doctor know if you experience any side effects that make you feel worse. You might wonder if antidepressants are safe during pregnancy. There are no simple answers.
The drugs used to treat depression have both risks and benefits. That's why it's so important to work with your doctor to decide what's best for you and the baby.
IMPORTANT: If you get pregnant while taking an antidepressant, call your doctor right away. Don't stop taking your antidepressant without talking to your doctor first.
What happens if you don't get help?
Depression, especially if it isn't treated, can put you and your baby at risk. Some problems it can cause are:
- Poor prenatal and postnatal care. Depressed mothers are often less able to care for themselves or their children or to bond with their children.
- Preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy
- Poor weight gain or unhealthy eating habits
- Use of drugs or alcohol to self-medicate
- Suicide
- Babies of women with depression are more irritable, less active and less attentive than other babies. The babies may also be born prematurely or have low birth weight.
