Depression in pregnant women: how to deal with it in the early and late stages

Women are much more likely to experience the blues than men. They are more willing to share their psychological problems with others. Depression during pregnancy is not just a negative mood; it is a persistent state of pessimism and anxiety that lasts 2-3 weeks. It is characterized by negative thoughts, an inability to overcome problems, and a feeling of insecurity.

The importance of depression during pregnancy

Depression in pregnant women is a serious psychological problem that significantly changes a woman’s consciousness. It affects the perception of events in life, self-esteem and understanding of prospects associated with changing circumstances.

Important! This condition, which catches a woman at an early stage, can affect the decision to terminate the pregnancy, and therefore relatives should be attentive to the change in mood of the expectant mother in order to lend a helping hand in time.

Does it happen to pregnant women?

Depression is a mental disorder that is characterized by decreased mood, loss of the ability to feel joy, pessimism, negative judgments about the world around us, and decreased physical activity.

Two thirds of people experiencing depression are women.

It is quite natural that a woman who is carrying a child and experiencing complex physiological changes in her body, which people around her observe only from the outside, is at risk of being susceptible to depression.

What is the essence of the problem

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A woman, having learned that life has arisen inside her, always experiences excitement, even when conception was planned, desired and long-awaited. She realizes that it is no longer possible to cancel the decision made; she needs to change her diet, wakefulness and rest, and give up bad habits. A sudden change in lifestyle, often accompanied by unpleasant physical sensations and changes in health status, can lead to depressive syndrome in pregnancy.

Anxiety can become a mental disorder

A woman loses interest in life, feels like a kind of slave of circumstances, understands that she no longer belongs to herself. She rushes between the desire to be free from obligations and responsibility, while at the same time instinct asserts the opposite: procreation and the acquisition of offspring is the meaning of life. She feels her special position every minute, while the world around her continues to live in its usual rhythm. It is at these moments that it seems that she is left alone with her difficult situation. Anger towards others appears, tearfulness, mistrust and anxiety increase.

Additional Information. If loved ones do not provide a sensitive nature with due attention, care and support, a born child can become a lifelong symbol of the loss of the carefree youth that is so beloved.

Practical steps to overcome fear of childbirth

If you are afraid that something will go wrong during childbirth, then try to apply our tips:

1. Talk to mothers who have given birth and who already have successful experiences with childbirth.
2. Consult a gynecologist about childbirth and how to behave.
3. Find out more about childbirth and how and who performs it. To do this, read the relevant literature.
4. Look fear in the face: if you wish, watch a documentary about childbirth or a recording of a real birth, how to behave, what mistakes to avoid.

Signs of Depression

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Depression during pregnancy is diagnosed by several symptoms:

• irritability during a conversation with a spouse (future father, and in his absence with other close relatives);
• tearfulness;
• sleep disturbance;
• lack of appetite;
• feeling of chronic fatigue;
• a sharp decrease in self-esteem.

Attention! The presence of at least one symptom should alert other family members and become a reason to contact a specialist.

How to recognize?

Prenatal depression is different from ordinary mood swings; it is deeper and more protracted . Noticing its signs in time allows you to start treatment earlier and increases the chances of an easier course of depression. Symptoms of depression:

• limiting your social circle. A pregnant woman's social activity decreases and she becomes reluctant to see people she was previously favorable to;
• frequent refusals to eat, lack of appetite;
• difficulty concentrating, absent-mindedness;
• disruption of the normal sleep cycle – excessive drowsiness or insomnia;
• unreasonable feelings of guilt, worthlessness and lack of demand;
• worry without reason, state of anxiety;
• feeling of hopelessness, obsessive thoughts about death, suicide;
• rapid onset of physical and mental fatigue;
• refusal of those types of activities that previously brought moral satisfaction;
• contradictory, illogical, behavior unusual for a pregnant woman;
• reluctance to visit antenatal clinics, gynecologists, or contact doctors;
• conscious use of harmful substances - tobacco, alcohol, drugs;
• chronic headaches or gastrointestinal problems.

A normal psychological state during pregnancy involves joy from the imminent birth of a child, enthusiasm and emotional uplift.

With depression, the expectant mother loses interest in the future - her own and the child's, is indifferent to possible problems or, on the contrary, exaggerates the importance of little things, experiences a feeling of depression and apathy.

How to distinguish depression from bad mood

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Along with depression, during maternity leave expectant mothers are visited by thoughts that their special position gives them the right to be capricious and demonstrate their bad mood for any reason. You can distinguish whims from mental disorders by the wave-like nature of the manifestation of a contrived bad mood.

If most of the time a girl is in a calm or upbeat mood, but under certain circumstances she turns into an unbearable tyrant, this is not depression during pregnancy. If the moral state really has pathological deviations, throughout the day the pregnant woman does not experience a surge of strength or a change from a negative mood to a positive one.

Temporary mood swings are not a disorder

What is depression and why does it occur during pregnancy?

The concept of “depression” refers to a whole complex of psychological disorders that are accompanied by causeless depression, a depressed and melancholic outlook, a complete loss of joy and any aspirations in life.

In addition, with the development of depression, low self-esteem, a sharp reaction to external stimuli, unreasonable irritability or complete apathy towards the world around us are often noted. Often, undiagnosed pathology leads to the development of alcohol dependence and the appearance of suicidal thoughts. Therefore, prevention and treatment of depression in an expectant mother plays a very important role in the future of the woman and baby.

Nature made sure that the entire pregnancy proceeded in conditions of harmony and tranquility. But the frantic pace of modern life, strict social standards and the many fears that they give rise to have led to a more frequent occurrence of depression in expectant mothers.

An important factor in the development of the disease is the internal state of the woman. Many worries about the ongoing pregnancy, the moral perception of her role in the life of the unborn baby and many other aspects make a woman a hostage to her thoughts. And if at this moment your resistance to stress loses its ground, the risk of succumbing to despondency instantly increases. And if a woman does not receive full moral support, then she is guaranteed depression.

The main causes of depression during gestation are:

• Severe stress due to an unplanned pregnancy.
• Critical social and living conditions (for example, lack of housing, difficult moral situation at home, lack of husband’s support, etc.).
• Financial insecurity (loss of job, existing large loan).
• Disinterest of the husband or other relatives in the birth of the baby.
• Complication of pregnancy (terrible toxicosis, risk of developing pathology in the fetus).
• A tendency to depression at the genetic level (if someone in the family has this disease, then a pregnant woman has a very high risk of experiencing depression).
• Exhaustive infertility treatment or frequent cases of miscarriage (if the first pregnancy ended in the loss of the baby, then in the second pregnancy depression will become a natural phenomenon amid the fear of losing the child again).
• Hormonal dysfunction, especially of the thyroid gland (reduced thyroid function is often accompanied by panic attacks, blues, and detachment).
• Suffered a strong psychological shock (loss of a loved one, radical change of place of residence not at will, etc.).
• Long-term treatment with psychotropic or sedative drugs.

Gestational depression can occur due to poor genetics, psychological or physical abuse, or a wide variety of emotional factors. In each case, the pathogenesis of the disease is individual and, fortunately, can be easily corrected.

Causes of the disorder

One of the most common causes of depression while on maternity leave is a lack of understanding of what to do after the birth of a child, as well as an awareness of the lack of personal freedom and an absolute change in priorities. There are a number of other equally significant reasons for the development of deep mental health problems:

• Unplanned pregnancy. A forced change in lifestyle becomes a real tragedy for the girl, stunned by the news.
• Lack of financial stability. Unsettledness and the inability to provide the necessary minimum for oneself and the unborn child are among the main fears of the expectant mother.
• Refusal of the future father to participate in the life of the mother and child. The absence of a reliable man nearby can significantly cripple a mentally healthy girl.

Attention! Similar problems occur in many women, which is why every state antenatal clinic has a full-time psychologist who provides free consultations with patients who are consumed by depression while on maternity leave.

Maternity consultation provides a psychologist

Correcting Negative Thinking

Two ways to solve problems with bad mood show very good results:

• auto-training
• visualization

Autotraining includes self-hypnosis. To do this, you first need to accept and believe that the method will help. And then choose suitable wording starting with the phrase “I can” or any other in a positive way that does not contain negation. Come up with 3 phrases that indicate specific goals. You need to repeat them for 4-5 minutes 4 times a day.

Another method is visualization. Imagine your desired reality in the smallest detail. Visualize your success and prosperity. At the same time, you concentrate your mind on positive things and learn to think about good things.

Features of prenatal disorder

Mental changes have a different nature during certain periods of fetal formation. This is due to both hormonal characteristics and the physical well-being of the expectant mother.

Depression in the first trimester

Depression during early pregnancy may be associated with a global restructuring of the functionality of the entire body in a new way. The development of toxicosis becomes a catalyst for nervous disorders.

In the second trimester

At this stage, the woman’s position becomes noticeable to others: a rounded belly appears, breasts swell, and facial features change. The expectant mother can no longer wear her usual clothes, she has to give up heels, and in case of excessive weight gain, limit the consumption of liquids and many foods, which becomes a cause of depression during pregnancy in the second trimester.

In the third trimester

Depression in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy is the most dangerous. It can cause premature birth. The baby has already reached an impressive size and is causing a lot of inconvenience to his mother. Active movement can cause pain: closely located kidneys suffer from impacts from developing limbs. The bladder is very cramped, it also suffers from the child. A pregnant woman can no longer sleep soundly all night; her impressive belly does not allow her to lie on her back, squeezing the vena cava. Forced frequent urination causes interruption of sleep. Debilitating heartburn prevents you from enjoying food.

Description of the ailment

Depression is a set of mental illnesses, which are evidenced by causeless depression, depressed state, melancholy, loss of goals and aspirations.

In addition, due to the disorder, the individual’s self-esteem decreases, constant irritation appears, and indifference to loved ones and the world around him. When this pathology is diagnosed, an individual develops dependence on alcohol, and thoughts of suicide creep into his head. Therefore, I recommend carrying out prevention and immediately following the treatment and recommendations of doctors, since the development of such a disease will negatively affect the future of the child and mother.

Pregnancy should take place in a calm environment, but the frantic pace of life does not allow a woman to fully rest. She constantly experiences a large number of fears, tries to meet the strict standards of society, which subsequently leads to a serious illness - depression.

The development of illness is also influenced by the girl’s internal well-being. She worries about the current pregnancy, thinks a lot about the future birth of the baby, she becomes a hostage to her thought processes. If stress resistance fails, there is a huge risk of developing a depressive state. If a pregnant woman is not supported in a timely manner by her parents or husband, she will most likely suffer from psychological distress.

In addition to all of the above, a young mother may be afraid of:

• lose a slim figure;
• become ugly;
• hormonal changes;
• being abandoned by your husband;
• changes in personal life.

The dangers of prenatal depression

Depression in the first and last weeks of pregnancy carries a risk of miscarriage or early delivery. The lack of an adequate assessment of the situation gives rise to irresponsibility, as a result of which the expectant mother does not consider it necessary to take medications necessary for the child’s health, including amino acids that ensure the correct formation of fetal tissue, which may result in unpleasant consequences in the form of a cleft soft palate or improperly formed fingers.

How long does it last and why is it dangerous?

Spontaneous, neglected depression can lead to serious complications:

• physical exhaustion and, as a result, a threat to the child’s health;
• suicidal behavior;
• neurological disorders affecting the cardiovascular system;
• the birth of a child who has low basic reflexes and has difficulties in further physical and intellectual development.

Prenatal depression refers only to the period of pregnancy and its presence does not imply a tendency to develop postpartum depression.

After childbirth, a woman’s consciousness switches to caring for and raising her child.

How can pregnant women overcome depression?

Psychologists at antenatal clinics, who often monitor patients until childbirth, can help combat depression in pregnant women in the third trimester, preventing them from harming themselves and the fetus.

How to do it yourself

In order to get rid of emotional problems without outside help, you can use online forums of happy women awaiting their due date. They share only the positive aspects of the period they are experiencing. Reading their posts can easily bring you back from an emotional abyss.

Traditional methods of help

You can cope with physiological difficulties in later stages by visiting the pool. Swimming gives you a feeling of weightlessness and allows you to relieve stress from your spine. In addition, water calms the nervous system and gives a feeling of harmony and peace.

Additional Information. A gentle massage of the lower back and collar area will allow a woman to relax, enjoy the tactile warmth and simply enjoy the moment.

It is important to remember that pregnancy is not a disease. Even after gaining ten kilograms, within a year after giving birth you will be able to return to your previous shape, wear your favorite dress and indulge in your favorite delicacy. Intimacy should not disappear from the life of a pregnant woman, unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor. You should not deliberately limit yourself in pleasures if they are not prohibited by medicine.

Self-treatment

I will list a few more recommendations, following which will help get rid of depressive illness:

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• Due to lack of sunlight, psychological distress may occur. Girls who are expecting a baby should pay more attention to walks in the fresh air and under the sun, avoid shaded streets, and also organize high-quality lighting in your home.
• Wear clothes in light colors; dark shades contribute to mental illness. If you are an ardent lover of black, dilute this color with bright accessories. Follow this rule if you want to change your home environment. Use delicate light shades in the interior.
• Move as much as possible. Sign up for various clubs or courses, do yoga, Pilates, and dancing. I also recommend going on a short trip that will give you a lot of positive emotions. Also spend a lot of time outdoors, walk in parks, go to beautiful places of power.
• Stay positive and enjoy your new position. Develop a nursery design, purchase several items and furniture for babies.
• Give up negative thoughts, they are sources of depressive illness. If you are constantly tormented by negative thoughts, sign up for my consultation, together we will dispel them, and they will never return to you.
• Eat tasty and healthy. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables unless you have contraindications. Eat seafood and oatmeal, they contain a lot of vitamins. Also, to improve your mood, eat chocolate.
• Avoid sources that cause depression. Don't watch movies or TV shows with sad endings. Do not watch the news where disasters appear, do not read books that will make you worry too much.
• Look at the world through a positive lens. Find happiness in the little things, pay attention to everything around you, the bright sun, floating clouds, children's laughter, luxurious nature.

Causes and provoking factors

The likelihood of depression during pregnancy increases due to the following reasons:

1. Difficult relationship with the father of the unborn child. The relationship between partners is of great importance. If a man is not ready to be responsible for the future of the family, the psychological state of the pregnant woman worsens significantly.
2. Hereditary predisposition. The risk of developing a mental disorder in a pregnant woman increases if her mother had this problem.
3. Long-term infertility treatment. In this case, the process of restoring reproductive functions is often accompanied by a state of despair. Therefore, a woman cannot quickly switch to the joy of planned motherhood. If this period drags on, the woman is susceptible to depression.
4. History of miscarriage or premature termination of pregnancy. These events cause negative emotions. Depression often develops after a missed pregnancy. Having undergone an induced birth in the past causes uncontrollable fear about the outcome of the current pregnancy.
5. Stressful situations in life. Psychological problems may arise due to a lack of understanding of subsequent actions or a feeling of lack of prospects. This causes hostility towards the child and his position. This negatively affects the psyche of a pregnant woman. The causes of such problems are financial troubles, lack of work or housing.
6. Disorders during pregnancy. Severe toxicosis, eclampsia, and the inability to take care of oneself cause a deterioration in the condition. During pregnancy, a woman is forced to give up a lot, and therefore feels inferior.
7. Intoxication, traumatic injuries. If a woman had bad habits or suffered a traumatic brain injury, this leads to certain changes in the condition and structure of the brain. As a result, the risk of developing depression is high.