Ante-Natal Depression – Depression during Pregnancy
Source : Pubdate : 2011/10/24 14:53:00 Author :
All pregnant women should expect some mood variation in pregnancy. But for about 10% of pregnant women depression can become a significant problem with Antenatal Depression.
Symptoms of Antenatal Depression
Everyone’s experience of pregnancy is different, however just as there are expected physical changes, there are also some common changes in emotion associated with each trimester, such as mood swings, anxiety, sensuality and excitement. So when a woman should be concerned that what she is experiencing falls outside these normal variations in mood?
A woman may be suffering from antenatal depression if she feels some of the following symptoms during her pregnancy:
- Inability to concentrate and difficulty remembering
- Difficulty making decisions
- Anxiety about the pregnancy or becoming parents
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Extreme irritability
- Sleep problems not related to the pregnancy
- Extreme or unending fatigue
- A desire to eat all the time or not wanting to eat at all
- Weight loss or weight gain not related to pregnancy
- Loss of interest in sex
- A sense that nothing feels enjoyable or fun anymore, including the pregnancy
- Feeling like a failure, feelings of guilt
- Persistent sadness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Assessment of Antenatal Depression
It can be very difficult for a pregnant woman to understand or talk about how she feels. This makes it more important for those who are providing her antenatal care and for her partner, friends and family to watch her and support her in seeking help. The first and most important step to managing antenatal depression is accurate assessment of the symptoms and diagnosis as early as possible. To assist this it is important to identify some of the factors that may be contributing to the depression.
Pregnancy hormones may contribute to feelings of depression. While hormonal ups and downs affect all pregnant women, some feel the swings more intensely. However, many other factors can contribute to the development of depression during pregnancy. A pregnant woman may be experience some uncertainty about the pregnancy, feeling perhaps that the timing is wrong, that career or long-term goals may need to be delayed or that there might be financial problems. She may also feel uncertain about her new role as mother, fears about carrying the pregnancy, as well how she will cope with labour and delivery. She may also feel guilty about being unhappy because everyone expects her to be content and blooming.
Some of the factors that might contribute to antenatal depression include:
Family / personal history of depression.
If depression runs in the woman’s family, or if she has had past episodes of depression, she may be more likely to become depressed.
Relationship difficulties.
If the woman and her partner or extended family are experiencing difficulties and the woman is afraid of a lack of support when her baby is born, this can have a major impact on her emotional well-being.
Stressful life events.
Any major life change, such as a move to a bigger home in anticipation of the baby’s arrival, divorce, or job loss, can contribute to depression.
Problems with the pregnancy.