Depression during Pregnancy

Depression and Anxiety in Pregnancy

Understanding Prenatal Depression

During your pregnancy, your body changes, your hormones are changing, and you have to come to terms with the joys and the care of the baby growing inside you. While having a baby is usually a time of celebration, families and the people around you may forget that this can be a stressful time. They forget that you may find it hard to cope with the sudden changes and stresses in your life. These changes can also leave you feeling sad, overwhelmed and confused. For many women, these feelings are temporary. But when these feelings persist or get worse, you could be experiencing depression.

About 10 to 15% of women experience depression during pregnancy. Depression during pregnancy can have an impact on your health, the health of the developing baby, and your ability to take care of yourself and your baby after birth. Women who experience depression during pregnancy are more likely to use substances, including alcohol and tobacco, to cope with these feelings. It is important to seek help so you can have the healthiest pregnancy and reduce the likelihood of experiencing postpartum depression.

Common signs of depression during pregnancy

• Lack of concentration
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling tired and fatigued all the time
• Sudden change in eating
• Constant feelings of anxiety or worry
• Lack of enjoyment in activities
• Irritation and feeling blue
• Not feeling good about yourself (low self esteem)
• Not feeling connected to your pregnancy

Anxiety during Pregnancy

Women can develop anxiety disorder for the first time in pregnancy. Sometimes anxiety and depression are experienced together, but not always. Often, figuring out what feelings are related to pregnancy and what feelings might be related to an anxiety disorder can be challenging. If you are having any of the following signs, which often indicate anxiety, speak to your health care provider:

• Depressed mood or extreme sadness
• Unrealistic or excessive worry
• Trembling, twitching or feeling shaky
• Restlessness
• Easily tired
• Shortness of breath or smothering sensations
• Racing heart
• Sweating or cold, clammy hands
• Dizziness or light‑headedness
• Feeling keyed up or on edge
• Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Gas, constipation or diarrhea
• Irritability
• Easily startled

Why is it important for you to seek help?

Women who have depression, especially untreated, may experience the following:

• Unhealthy eating habits and poor weight gain
• Using tobacco and alcohol to cope, leading to potential harm to unborn baby
• Premature and low birth weight babies
• Difficulty bonding or caring for baby
• Suicide