Pregnancy Depression -
Symptoms and Prevention

Pregnancy depression is real. Learn how to spot the warning
signs so that you can prevent it and/or get treatment.

Pregnancy depression normally occurs during the first trimester and the latter part of pregnancy.

Depression during pregnancy is common and is not necessarily an indication that the mother to be doesn’t want the baby.

The hormonal changes taking place during pregnancy places a big part in mood swings that many pregnant women feels. Most are happy during this time but an estimated 10% – 20% feel quite down.

Apart from hormones, a number of other factors can cause pregnancy depression such as:

• Previously losing a pregnancy (miscarriage)
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Marital or relationship problems
• Medication complications prior to the pregnancy or associated with the pregnancy
• Death of a loved one or other life altering changes
• Have a history of depression

Like with other types of depression, pregnancy depression has certain warning signs. It is important to be aware of these signs so as to know when to seek help. Some of these signs are:

• Sadness that you just can’t seem to shake
• Suicidal thoughts
• Thoughts that you can’t take care of a baby
• Sleep problems, especially insomnia
• Fatigue that you can’t seem to get over
• Eating much less than normal or eating more
• Suicidal thoughts
• Find that you can not cope with your regular day to day activities

Treatment for pregnancy depression is very important, especially since if no treatment is received you are much more likely to suffer from postpartum depression.

Lucky some antidepressants are safe to use during pregnancy. Nonetheless you need to discuss your treatment and concerns with your doctor.

If depression is mild, psychotherapy alone may be used. According to several researces, pregnant women who take antidepressant and attend support groups recover from pregnancy depression faster.

You too can play a part in avoiding pregnancy depression.

Involve your spouse in your pregnancy; discuss fears and dreams about your unborn child. Take time to spend together as a couple. This kind of bonding and sharing helps to reduce your stress level.

Proper diet is also important not only for you and the baby, but also helps in preventing pregnancy depression.

Back from Pregnancy Depression
to Depression Help Treatment

Dealing with Depression Advice

Keeping a journal

This trick seems to work well for women, who are more likely to write out their feelings as a way of combating depression.

Keep a journal and write in it every night before you go to bed.

If you're stuck for how to begin your journal entries, try something definitive, like writing about what was the best part of your day and what was the worst. These are great guidelines to help you begin writing about your feelings. Start with the worst part of your day. What happened, what made it the worst part? End on a positive note with the best part of your day.

The point of this exercise is to begin to see patterns emerging.

Nancy Miller discusses the importance of keeping a journal in her book "Seven steps to a depression free life."