Depression in Pregnancy

"Depression" this term is often used to describe emotional reactions. It is nothing but mental illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. These mental and physical feeling seem to follow them night and day, appear to have no end. Depression is alleviated by happy events or good news. Depression can happen at any stage at any time in our life. And any one can be affected by depression. A symptom of depression involves sadness, hopelessness, increased anger, frustration and loss of energy. All these symptoms we can say mood disorder. The degree of depression can be mild, moderate or it can be severe.

When Women Happens Depression During Pregnancy?

Depression can happen to women during pregnancy, before pregnancy and even after pregnancy. Thus there are three types of depression that can happen during pregnancy.

• Perinatal Depression
• Baby Blues
• Postpartum Depression

What is The Difference Between "Postpartum" and "Baby Blues"?

Postpartum and Baby blues are differing in duration and even its effects are also different on mother and her child. Thus the depression after childbirth is called as baby blues and the depression within one year after childbirth are called as postpartum. Baby blues appears on third or fourth day after delivery whereas postpartum appears at any time within one year after delivery.

Causes of Depression During Pregnancy

Depressions that can happen to woman before pregnancy are called as perinatal depression.

• Heredity
• In relative if some one is suffers from mental illness.
• Increased anxiety about baby.
• Financial problem.
• Worrying about problems that happen during previous pregnancy

Pregnancy Depression Symptoms

Symptoms of pregnancy depression is as follows

• Loss of interest in life
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• More sleep than usual
• Increased crying
• Feeling anxious
• Unexpected weight loss or weight gain
• Fear of harming the baby or oneself
• Sluggishness
• Fatigue
• Exhaustion

Can Pregnancy Depression be Prevented?

Yes, using following tips you can prevents pregnancy depression.

• Be realistic about your expectation
• Limit visitors
• Take help from your close one
• Take rest
• Take exercise
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Take good diet
• Spend time with your partner

Some Helpful Tips

• Take rest as much as you want.
• When your baby naps, at that time you try to nap.
• Don't put pressure on yourself.
• Take help from your family members.
• Frankly talk about your feeling with your husband, mother, father, your friends or any one who is close to you.
• Always spend time with someone. Don't stay alone for long period.
• Don't make any major decision about life during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Depression Treatment

Pregnancy depression needs special treatment. There are two types of treatment that can reduce depression.

• Psychotherapy
• Medication

The treatment includes following steps

• Medical evaluation to rule out physiological problems
• Psychotherapy
• Psychotherapy
• Possible medication
• Support group

It is important that women being continue with treatment even after they feel better.

Resources for Fighting Depression:

• Self Help for Depression
• End Depression Now
• Conquer Stress, Depression & Anxiety