If you’re carrying a baby, you’ve likely heard of the phrase ‘postnatal depression’. But depression during pregnancy is also something you may experience, and it’s important to understand where it’s coming from. This is called ‘antenatal depression’ or ‘prenatal depression’.
Pregnancy can be a very emotional period of time during your life. You may feel really excited about your baby at one stage, and uncertain the next. Your body is going through a lot of changes, so it’s normal to feel your mood going in all different directions.
But if you are consistently in a low mood, and it’s getting in the way of your normal life, you may be experiencing antenatal depression that needs to be addressed.
If you’re experiencing depression during pregnancy, you’re not alone
Around 7% of pregnant women experience depression during pregnancy. This rate may be higher in countries with lower incomes. It has not been as commonly researched as postnatal depression, but it is still understood to be at least as common as general depression.
Depression is commonly known as a mood disorder where you feel a consistent sentiment of sadness, disinterest and ‘nothingness’. It is often misunderstood as a general type of sadness you can simply ‘get over’, but this is not the case. Furthermore, it occurs much more so in women than it does in men and especially so during the years of reproduction.
Signs & symptoms of antenatal depression
There are various signs of depression during your pregnancy to watch out for. Speak to a mental health professional if you have been experiencing the following symptoms for over a fortnight:
- Feeling emptiness, nothingness, down or just numb
- Feeling worthless or powerfulness
- Feeling angry towards other people for no apparent good reason
- Feeling emotional and as if you’re going to cry
- Going through unexpected appetite or sleep swings
- Having no interest in doing anything
- Feeling drained of energy
- Having thoughts of self-harm or harming somebody else (including your baby or kids)
Depression can impact any pregnant mother. But several risk factors are known which increase its likelihood of recurring. For example, if you’ve also gone through difficult events in your life (such as, for example, a trauma related to childbirth), or have experienced a history of abuse (physical, sexual or emotional), this may make you prone to prenatal depression.
Depression’s effect on your baby
Depression during pregnancy can affect your baby. Studies have indicated that depression which is undiagnosed during pregnancy can lead to a low birth rate, pregnancy complications such as premature birth or even gestational diabetes. It may also lead to delays in your baby’s own development.
As your baby gets older, this can lead to more problems. As they grow up, your children may experience delays in their learning and increased emotional issues
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that women with depression while they are carrying a baby give their kids an increased depression risk when they become adults.
The study looked at over 4,500 patients and their kids, finding that kids who were born to depressed mothers were 1.5 times more likely (on average) to be depressed when reaching the age of 19.
How to handle depression during pregnancy
The best way to overcome your depression during pregnancy is to speak to receive women’s counselling. They can help talk through the issues, discuss treatment options and place you on a tailored plan to recovery.
Speak with one of our professional women’s counsellors in Melbourne. They can assist you if you’re experiencing depression during pregnancy. They have real-world experience helping people with depression and anxiety and are passionate about empowering women during and after their pregnancies. Book a session today.
