Prenatal Depression: Causes, Signs, and Ways to Regain Wellness

There are seasons and occasions in life that seem to have clear-cut scripts for how one should navigate those moments. People get concerned when you’re not happy during the holiday season, and there’s a possibility you might be called a Grinch or a Scrooge. In a similar vein, when you’re pregnant, you may suffer from prenatal depression, even though there are often heavy expectations that you’ll be happy because of the new life you’re bringing into the world.

The reality is that being pregnant can be hard for many reasons. It may be accompanied by health issues, or perhaps it occurred under traumatic conditions. It’s also possible that being pregnant stirs up certain fears and anxieties about becoming a parent or from previous experiences. If one doesn’t have adequate support, that can also lead to a hard pregnancy. Prenatal depression is a reality that many women must also face.

Understanding prenatal depression

Prenatal depression is a mood disorder that affects a person when they’re pregnant. It affects women of all backgrounds, and around 7% of pregnant women experience depression during their pregnancy. Typically, the focus during pregnancy is on the physical well-being of the mom and baby, but it’s important to pay attention to the mother’s mental health too. Depression is a mood disorder that affects how a person acts, thinks, and feels.

Several factors can contribute to a person developing prenatal depression including one’s personal and family history, as having a history of mood disorders can increase the risk of prenatal depression. Life stresses rooted in past trauma or heavy work demands can also increase the risk of prenatal depression. Hormonal changes that can occur during pregnancy may also affect one’s mood and contribute to depression.

Another factor that can contribute to depression includes a lack of emotional and practical support. This can lead to a woman feeling isolated and facing the physical and emotional demands of childbirth and caring for a newborn without a support network.

As with other forms of depression, prenatal depression is more than just experiencing a low mood that you can just snap out of. Depression requires a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional and an effective treatment plan.

Some signs of prenatal depression to look out for

Prenatal depression is a lot like other forms of depression, and one can look out for the same symptoms as well as a few that are unique to prenatal depression. Some of the signs of depression during pregnancy to look out for include:

Experiencing a persistent sad mood

This includes feeling sad, anxious, or empty for most of the day for at least two weeks.

Loss of interest or pleasure

Losing interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that used to bring joy and a sense of meaning.

Fatigue

Finding yourself feeling exhausted or experiencing a significant decline in energy.

Feeling guilty, hopeless, worthless

Depression often induces feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, or helplessness. One might also experience low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy about parenthood, and a poor response to reassurance.

Irritability

Feeling irritable and easily annoyed, getting frustrated with small things, or feeling restless can indicate prenatal depression.

Poor self-care

Poor adherence to prenatal care, as well as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illicit drugs during pregnancy, might indicate depression.

Disrupted and changed sleep

Experiencing disruptions in your regular sleep patterns such as having difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much may also point to prenatal depression.

Changes in appetite

While pregnancy often results in many changes such as a change in one’s appetite, be on the lookout for abnormal changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes such as poor weight gain.

Inexplicable physical aches

Experiencing inexplicable physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that don’t respond to typical treatments can indicate depression.

Anxiety

Having excessive anxiety about your baby might be a sign of prenatal depression.

Doubts about parenting

Having persistent doubts about the ability to care for the baby might indicate prenatal depression.

Suicidal ideation

Thoughts of suicide, and suicide attempts might also be a sign of depression.

It is vital to see a doctor or mental health professional if you experience one or more of these symptoms.

Getting help

If you’re struggling with prenatal depression, know that you are not alone. There is help available to effectively address prenatal depression. Some of the ways that depression can be dealt with include being open and sharing what you’re going through with your partner, friends, and family. Having a support network makes a huge difference, and one step toward that is to invite your loved ones into your experience.

In a similar vein, it’s important to maintain social connections and engage in activities that allow for contact with others. Additionally, practicing self-care which includes doing things that allow you to relax, and prioritizing your physical health through rest and a healthy diet. Help can also be found in going beyond these self-help measures and seeking connection with other people experiencing similar struggles.

You can also seek professional help by talking to a therapist with training in perinatal mental health, or your healthcare provider. Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy are effective for addressing prenatal depression. You can also discuss options with your healthcare provider for medication that is safe to take during pregnancy.

Prenatal depression is common and treatable, and with the right support, you can manage it and enjoy a healthy pregnancy. For more information about the help available through counseling and therapy, call our office today.