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| Depression and Pregnancy | Usually for a woman pregnancy is considered to be one of the most happiest periods in her life, but some women may feel confused, sad, stressed or even depressed. According to the statistics, about 10 – 20% of pregnant women suffer from depression, and about 25% of them have severe depression.
Depression is a kind of a mood disorder, which is often not diagnosed by the future mothers properly, because women usually think that something, what is going on with them is only because of the hormonal misbalance, which may be dangerous not only for the woman, but for her unborn baby as well.
It is extremely important to know that depression is an illness, which may be treated and which is to be tread, especially during pregnancy.
What is Depression During Pregnancy?
Like the clinical depression, depression during pregnancy is a kind of a mood disorder (it is also called antepartrum depression). All mood disorders are caused by some certain changes, occurring in the brain chemistry. During the period of pregnancy, hormones influence the brain chemicals, and it may become a reason of feeling of anxiety and even of depression.
What Are the Signs of Depression During Pregnancy?
 If you experience the following symptoms for more than two weeks, you may possibly be suffering from depression:
• Persistent feeling of sadness;
• It has become difficult to get concentrated on something;
• You begin to sleep either too much or too little;
• You do not feel interested in anything that you have been enjoying;
• You may be thinking about hopelessness, or even suicide;
• You experience unreasonable anxiety;
• You feel guilty or worried, without any evident reason;
• Your appetite became poor.
What Are The Possible Reasons of Depression During Pregnancy Period?
• Some problems in relationship with your partner, relatives, friends, co – workers, etc.
• If any of your relatives suffered of depression;
• Fertility treatments;
• Previous miscarriages or abortions;
• Some pregnancy complications;
• History of abuse or trauma;
• Some recently experienced stress.
Can Depression During Pregnancy Cause Harm to Your Baby?
If you decide not to treat depression, it may have potential dangerous risk not only for you, but for your baby as well, though it does not occur directly, but depression causes poor nutrition, a wish to have a drink, a smoke, and even thoughts about conducting suicide. All of this may lead to premature birth, low birth weight of the baby, and problems with the development of the fetus. If a woman is depressed, she does not have enough strength or wish to take adequate care about herself and about her baby as well.
What Is the Treatment for Depression During Pregnancy Period?
If you feel strong enough to be able to fight depression, the most necessary thing for you is to look for a good help. You should better talk to your doctor about your feelings and struggles, and he or she will find the healthiest treatment for you and your baby. Generally, treatment for a pregnant woman, suffering from depression includes:
• Groups of support;
• Private séances of the psychotherapist;
• Some special medications;
• Some light anti – depression therapy
In case if you are suffering from severe depression, you may need to be appointed some medications right away, and there exist medicines, which may be taken by pregnant women without affecting their baby’s development. The best way out for you would be to discuss with your doctor what he or she considers to be the safest for your baby, but which can bring positive changes in your mood. In case if you feel not comfortable about discussing your personal feelings with your doctor, you may look for some other person, whom you can trust to, and with whom you may share all your emotions and fears, as the best for you in the situation like this would be to tell someone about everything, which overwhelms your mind and thoughts. But you are never to try to face depression alone, as you must always remember, that your baby needs you to look for someone to help both of you.
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