Pregnancy Depression

What You Need To Know About Pregnancy Depression

For many women, pregnancy is one of happiest times of their life. For others, it is a time of sadness and stress. Depression to some degree affects as many as 20% of pregnant women, and as many as half of these will have major pregnancy depression.

It is not a surprise that pregnancy can bring on depression, since approximately one out of every four women will have depression in her lifetime. Unfortunately, pregnancy depression often goes unnoticed since the woman and those around her will associate it with the mood swings and hormonal imbalances that come with pregnancy.

Left untreated, pregnancy depression can be dangerous for both mom and baby. It can lead to dangerous behavior like drinking or smoking, keep mom from getting proper nutrition, or even lead to suicidal behavior. Unable to care for herself and her unborn child, a woman with depression can have many complications with her pregnancy.

What Is Pregnancy Depression?

Just like other forms of depression, pregnancy depression is a mood disorder that is related to changes in the chemistry of the brain. It is thought that the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can have an effect on the chemicals in the brain, which in turn can cause anxiety and depression. These feelings can be made worse if the woman is having a difficult life situation while she is pregnant.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pregnancy depression can vary from one woman to another. Symptoms usually last for two weeks or longer and may include:

• Changes in eating habits
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feelings of guilt
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Feelings of sadness
• Having a hard time concentrating
• Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy doing
• Sleeping too much (beyond the normal fatigue associated with pregnancy)
• Stress and anxiety
• Thoughts of death and suicide

If you are having any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away.

Triggers

There are numerous triggers of pregnancy depression. Having a history of depression will make you more susceptible to it. Relationship problems, history of abuse, and stressful life events also play a role.

And complications in the pregnancy or previous pregnancies, such as needing fertility treatments, experiencing a pregnancy loss, or needing to be on bed rest can also contribute.

Treatment

The good news about pregnancy depression is that it can be treated. The most important thing that a woman can do is to talk to her doctor. He or she may recommend therapy, support groups, or medication to help with depression symptoms.

The more severe your pregnancy depression, the more aggressive your treatment will likely be. Your doctor will be able to recommend treatments that are safe for both you and your baby.

If you are not comfortable with your doctor, it is important to find someone to talk to. Members of your religious organization, online or real life support groups, or even a sympathetic friend can provide a listening ear and support. You should never try to face pregnancy depression on your own.

Read more diet and weight loss related articles here

Latest lose weight news

Copyright © 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Lose Weight Reviews

You may not reprint articles from this website without the written permission of the site owner.

Disclaimer: Articles on this Website are provided for information purposes only. Loseweightreviews.com does not accept any responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of the article content on this site or reliance by any person on the site's contents.