Being pregnant is often described as the most joyous and fulfilling moment in a woman’s life but in this perfect picture lies a grim reality as pregnancy is also tinted with its own brand of stress and strains that may sometimes lead to depression. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by an overwhelming and intense emotion of despair, grief and inconsolable sadness. It affects anyone at any given time but when it strikes during pregnancy, and can take its toll not just on one but two lives. Depression during pregnancy is highly dangerous as women during this stage are already normally high strung and volatile, a disorder can trigger a string of untoward reactions that may risk the life of both mother and child.
Famous celebrities like Brooke Shields and Gwyneth Paltrow who have openly discussed their own battles with depression during and after pregnancy have increased the public’s attention towards this disorder. It is estimated that at least 20% of American pregnant women will go through some type of depression symptoms during their pregnancy and 10% of which will likely suffer from a clinical disorder.
Causes of Depression in Pregnancy
Pregnant women are often easy targets for this problem due to several factors. For one, it is this time that hormonal imbalances becomes extreme and a change in the chemical levels in the brain also take place. These two conditions can lead to rapid mood shifts that can result in depression. External factors such as financial stress, medical scares and relationship troubles further adds fuel to depression.
This mood disorder can also manifest postpartum or after the woman has given birth and is oftentimes caused by the abrupt change in the mother’s lifestyle and the stress that goes along with caring for a child, first time moms who are still learning the ropes of motherhood are at a greater risk for this type of depression.
However, some pregnant women are more susceptible to give in to depression, risk factors such as previous personal or family anxiety disorders, being in a troubled relationship and unwanted or unplanned pregnancy can make one more prone to acquiring this disorder. Similarly, if you had fertility procedures prior to giving birth or have experienced a previous miscarriage also triggers depression.
Signs of Depression in Pregnancy
Depression manifests in the form of unappeasable feelings of grief, despair and guilt. If this intense emotion takes hold of an individual for a prolonged period and is accompanied by other symptoms of depression, then it is best to seek professional help. These other signs of depression may include visible changes in appetite and sleeping patterns, fatigue, constant mood changes, loss of interest and focus as well as suicidal thoughts.
Complications of Depression in Pregnancy
Depression during pregnancy endangers both the life of the mother and the unborn child. Based on recent research, pregnant women who are suffering from this disorder are more likely to end up giving premature birth, having an abortion or experience preeclampsia.
If you are pregnant, it is best to keep a positive and happy outlook as well as regularly seek prenatal care to ensure that you and your baby will have a happy nine months together.
Related posts:
{ 5 trackbacks }