Depression is an illness that can have effects on our everyday life. When a woman experiences depression while pregnant, it’s called prenatal depression.
Most women experience emotional ups and downs throughout their pregnancy, and that’s perfectly normal. However, when the depression goes from a few days here or there into a regular occurrence, it’s a sign of depression.
Around 13% of pregnant women and new moms experience various degrees of depression; that’s one in 10 mothers. There is a treatment to help greatly improve prenatal depression; you’re not alone.
Symptoms of Depression
Various symptoms of depression can be expected to happen every once in a while. However, if you tend to experience at least three of the following symptoms for two weeks or more, talk to a doctor about the potential for treatment. Depression doesn’t have to be dealt with alone.
- Mood Swings
- Sadness
- Hopelessness
- Feeling Overwhelmed Often
- Irritability
- Lack of Energy or Motivation
- Frequent Crying Spells
- Easy To Be EMotional
- Memory Issues
- Difficulty Focusing
- Sleep Imbalance (too much or too little)
- Loss of Interest
- Withdrawing Mentally & Emotionally From Loved Ones
- Poor Decision Making
- Headaches
Treating Prenatal Depression
Depression is typically treated with a combination of pharmaceutical medications and talk therapy. During pregnancy, potential risks of drugs and benefits must be weighed, as some medications can negatively impact your growing baby.
Suppose it’s right for you and the baby. In that case, your doctor can prescribe therapy and prescription medication and recommend natural solutions to help manage prenatal depression. Your doctor may be able to help find the best person for you to comfortably talk to help through their bumps in the road.
Are there risks of not treating depression?
It is crucial to take the necessary steps to treat depression, especially during pregnancy. If depression remains untreated, there’s a risk that it could get worse; hurting both you and the baby.
Untreated depression comes with a list of added issues we have to handle if we don’t help ourselves, including:
- Eating Poorly
- Not Gaining Enough Weight
- Not Providing Enough Nutrition
- Missing Important Visits
- Pregnancy Complications
Get Some Sleep
Sleep seems to be a super-fuel for pregnant women. Make time to get the rest your body needs. Not only are you eating, drinking, sleeping, breathing, and living for yourself, but for the growing baby inside you.
Even if you can’t sleep, laying down and getting a bit of quiet, uninterrupted rest can positively impact your body, mind, and emotions.
While we sleep, our body heals, restores, repairs, and regenerates. That being said, if you feel drowsy, give in to that feeling and listen to your body.
Sometimes, the best thing to do is reach out to anyone who has experienced pregnancy. So many of us can relate to one another on so many levels. You never know what tips and techniques they can share to help you through one of the most important times in your life.
If you’re pregnant and feeling depressed frequently, talk to friends, family, your doctor, or total strangers on a forum or social media. It’s ok not to feel ok, and it’s more than ok to reach out to others in a profound time.
