Treating Depression During Pregnancy
Ante partum depression is the medical term for depression during pregnancy. This is a fairly common condition and it can be handled. Actually about 10 percent of women will face this condition when they are expecting a child. Those who battle with depression before they became pregnant are generally more likely to suffer from depression throughout the duration of all three trimesters.
Hormonal imbalances have to do with depression during pregnancy. It seems when the hormones increase rapidly when she becomes pregnant it can cause the brain chemistry to become imbalanced and make her prone to being depressed.
Progesterone and estrogen are the two hormones that may be the primary causes since they are generally the ones that are responsible for swings in the mood. This disorder can be either mild or major. When someone has a mild version, then she is still able to take care of day to day responsibilities but is not necessarily functioning at their best. Major or clinical ante partum conditions are much more severe and it will inhibit the mother’s ability to go about her daily activities.
If depression during pregnancy is not treated it can put both the mother and child at risk. She can suffer from pre-eclampsia, unhealthy eating habits, poor weight gain, and use of drugs or alcohol to try to feel better, and possible suicide attempts. Some recent tests have revealed that this condition can be a major factor that contributes to a child having asthma.
For the expecting mother who suffers from this disorder, she may not only have trouble caring for herself, but she may also have a difficult time bonding with her newborn child. When a baby is born to a mother who is suffering from this condition, it has a greater chance of being born underweight or prematurely. They usually have more of a tendency to be irritable, are not as active as other babies and have more trouble paying attention.
One of the best ways to treat this condition is by recognizing its symptoms early on. It may be that she tends to sleep an abnormally large amount of time, or trouble sleeping altogether. Other signs include things like a loss of energy, feeling guilty, having a change in appetite, being restless or even contemplating about committing suicide. These are very similar to what a woman may feel just because of the normal changes in hormones so it can be very difficult to diagnose. But if the symptoms remain for more than two weeks it is time to seek medical attention. There are some medications that your doctor may be able to prescribe to help alleviate some of the symptoms.
To be helpful, her partner can continue to show her support and love throughout this time. Make her feel special and care for her. Also ask the doctor what types of exercises will work best and participate in them for at least 3 minutes every day. Yoga is a great option because it will help relax the body and the mind. Also try reading some positive books which can help quite a lot.
Always remember that depression during pregnancy is something to be concerned about even if it seems minor and it should be treated as soon as possible. This is necessary for the health of both mother and baby. Talk to your physician about strategies to overcome this condition.