Women need to know that all medications will cross the placenta and reach their babies.

But if a pregnant woman is dealing with severe depression, a combination of psychotherapy and medication is usually recommended. Some research now shows that certain medications used to treat depression may be linked to problems in newborns such as physical malformations, heart problems, pulmonary hypertension and low birth weight.Ī woman with mild to moderate depression may be able to manage her symptoms with support groups, psychotherapy and light therapy.

There is a lot of debate over the safety and long-term effects of antidepressant medications taken during pregnancy. Treatment options for women who are pregnant can include:Īre there any safe medications to treat depression during pregnancy? Your health care provider wants the best for you and your baby and may discuss options with you for treatment. Talk with your health care provider about your symptoms and struggles. If you feel you may be struggling with depression, the most important step is to seek help. What is the treatment for depression during pregnancy? This is why getting the right help is important for both mom and baby. A woman who is depressed often does not have the strength or desire to adequately care for herself or her developing baby.īabies born to mothers who are depressed may be less active, show less attention and be more agitated than babies born to moms who are not depressed. Untreated depression can lead to poor nutrition, drinking, smoking, and suicidal behavior, which can then cause premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental problems. Family or personal history of depressionĬan depression during pregnancy cause harm to my baby?ĭepression that is not treated can have potential dangerous risks to the mother and baby.What are possible triggers of depression during pregnancy? Recurring thoughts of death, suicide, or hopelessness.Loss of interest in activities that you usually enjoy.Women with depression usually experience some of the following symptoms for 2 weeks or more: What are the signs of depression in pregnancy? These can be exacerbated by difficult life situations, which can result in depression during pregnancy. Mood disorders are biological illnesses that involve changes in brain chemistry.ĭuring pregnancy, hormone changes can affect the chemicals in your brain, which are directly related to depression and anxiety. What is depression in pregnancy?ĭepression during pregnancy, or antepartum depression, is a mood disorder just like clinical depression. Depression in pregnancy is an illness that can be treated and managed however, it is important to seek out help and support first. This assumption can be dangerous for the mother and the unborn baby. But all too often, depression is not diagnosed properly during pregnancy because people think it is just another type of hormonal imbalance. According to The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), between 14-23% of women will struggle with some symptoms of depression during pregnancy.ĭepression is a mood disorder that affects 1 in 4 women at some point during their lifetime, so it should be no surprise that this illness can also touch women who are pregnant.

Pregnancy is supposed to be one of the happiest times of a woman’s life, but for many women this is a time of confusion, fear, stress, and even depression. Depression in Pregnancy Depression During Pregnancy: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

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