Depression During Pregnancy
A woman is likely to go under depression during pregnancy even though pregnancy is considered as the most joyous moment in her life. There is a very high level of mood swings noticed among women when they are pregnant, depression being one of them.
Initially it was believed that the hormones produced will help in healing the depression. However, the main cause of depression during pregnancy is the increased level of pregnancy hormones. Estrogen and progesterone, the two important pregnancy hormones are responsible for the mood swing in women. Their rapid increase during pregnancy can make a woman feel more anxious and disrupt the chemistry of the brain thereby leading to depression. She may go from a state of happiness to a state of sudden despair and may even find hard to describe her feelings of joy or despair. Many people may confuse this with some psychological problem although it is a result of hormonal changes.
Usually the depression during pregnancy is more common in the first and third trimester. But unlike first trimester, in the third trimester the cause of depression is not credited to hormones alone. This stage also includes a pregnant woman's worries about everything, beginning from having a successful delivery to proper nourishment of the baby. She is anxious about everything connected to her pregnancy, career, relationships and life. Financial conditions are also a part of these tensions. She worries about the upbringing and education and future of the child as well.
Some of the reasons which increase the risk of depression during pregnancy include fertility treatments, problems in pregnancy and any loss of miscarriage in the last pregnancy. Undergoing fertility procedures to become pregnant poses some emotional side effects and after getting pregnant, the fear of losing the baby is quite common. This may lead a pregnant woman to go under depression. Similar is the case with women with previous miscarriages. They always keep worrying of how to deliver this time successfully. The thoughts of previous mishap and the anxiety of the present situation drag them under depression. Such problems are also seen in a problematic pregnancy. A combination of fear, stress and anxiety prevails in the mind of women, depressing them. It is important, in such cases, to consult the caregiver who can take care of this emotional upheaval.
Depression during pregnancy is also a result of complicated relationships and stressful events in life. In case, your relationship is not working out well, there is a probability of going under depression. It is better to go for some counselling and take decisions accordingly. If this problem is solved before the birth of the baby, then it is well and good. However, more tensions will be added if these problems continue to prevail even after the baby has arrived. A woman may also go move to a depressing state, if she is too stressed about life and worries much about finance, career and job prospects, freedom, etc. Other areas of concern include loneliness, death of someone close, negligence and many more. In such cases, the family members should take care of this problem. It is their responsibility to keep her elated and spirited always.
In order to treat depression during pregnancy, antidepressants can be used but it is important to discuss its advantages and disadvantages with the health care provider and then go for it only after being prescribed. The best treatment one can get for this problem is emotional support, love and care. The husband must take care of his pregnant wife, make her feel special and clear all her worries and anxieties. Understanding her emotions or just being with her is enough to lift her spirits. Proper relaxation and adequate rest is necessary. That would keep the mind calm and cool. Doing exercises or practising yoga can help as they help in relaxing the mind. Partying and holidaying is also possible as long as they do not make you stressed or affect your pregnancy. One can also go for a light or comedy movie which will make you happy and keep your worries out of sight. It is also good to read holy books or scriptures. It can help in decreasing mood swings and bring your mind to its stability. It is also believed that, reading such books also imposes an intellectual impact on the baby growing inside.
If the mood swings continues for more than two weeks even after applying the above methods, then consulting a doctor is advisable. Medical care is important for such depression during pregnancy. Try out these, keep your emotions in control and wait for the arrival of a new member into the family!
