Understand more about depression in pregnancy!

Pregnancy should be a time of happiness and fulfillment, but a woman's body undergoes major hormonal changes, causing chemical dysfunctions in the brain and physiology. These changes can affect emotions, causing anxiety, sadness, stress and depression, a mood disorder that is more common in women than men.

Other factors can also trigger the illness, including financial difficulties, unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, previous episodes of depression and lack of support from family and partner. Some studies show that around 20% of women suffer from depression during pregnancy.

However, it's believed that this figure could be even higher, as many women don't have access to treatment or feel embarrassed to reveal their illness. Check out this article to find out more about how to identify the signs and symptoms, as well as the consequences and how to treat depression in pregnancy. Read on.

Characteristics of depression in pregnancy

With so many hormonal changes during pregnancy, it's common for some symptoms to appear that can signal depression. In addition, there are some causes that can trigger the illness during this period. In this section, check out the characteristics and main risk groups for developing depression in pregnancy. Read below.

What is depression in pregnancy?

Pregnancy depression is a mental disorder characterized by anxiety, sadness, melancholy and mood swings, which can affect the formation of the baby due to the woman's lack of motivation to take care of herself and, consequently, her child. This condition can be triggered by hormonal changes.

However, there are other reasons associated with the onset of the disease, such as the fear of becoming a mother, especially in adolescence and for the first time. Socio-economic issues and a history of previous depression can also be causes.

During prenatal care, the gynaecologist/obstetrician can observe certain symptoms and refer you for the most appropriate treatment. Generally, the indication is psychotherapy, and if necessary, the psychiatrist associates the treatment with the use of antidepressants.

Signs and symptoms of depression in pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is common for hormonal changes to occur, resulting in sudden mood swings. However, if a woman experiences some recurring symptoms, it is necessary to seek medical help:

- Anxiety;

- Melancholy and constant sadness;

- Lack of motivation to carry out activities;

- Irritability;

- Lack of personal care (bathing and eating well, for example)

- Sleep-related problems, insomnia or frequent sleepiness;

- Loss or excess of appetite;

- Suicidal thoughts or attempts;

- Difficulty concentrating;

- Stress;

- Isolation.

It's important to note that these signs can vary from person to person, so it's important to monitor the frequency and intensity of symptoms.

Why is it difficult to identify the signs of depression in pregnancy?

Depression is often difficult to diagnose because some of the signs are similar to pregnancy, such as changes in sleep, appetite, mood and disposition, so the symptoms are confused, leading the woman or the doctor to believe that they are normal symptoms of pregnancy, and therefore not given due importance.

In addition, women may feel ashamed or afraid due to the stigma attached to mental disorders. Another reason that makes it difficult to treat depression is that only physical health is cared for, to the detriment of emotional health.

The use of antidepressants in pregnancy may be one of the reasons why the disease is not identified and properly treated. This is due to fear of the possible risks and side effects on the baby's development.

Possible causes of depression in pregnancy

There are numerous causes that can lead a woman to develop gestational depression, and in many cases they are linked to external issues, such as

- Lack of emotional support, either from the family or from the partner;

- Financial difficulties (unemployment or lack of financial support from the baby's father);

- Poor housing conditions;

- Abusive relationship, where there is physical, sexual and verbal aggression

- Hormonal changes;

- Diagnosis of depression or another emotional condition prior to pregnancy;

- Unwanted pregnancy;

- Being a single mother;

- A high-risk pregnancy in which there has been a previous miscarriage or loss of the baby.

Main risk groups for developing gestational depression

Some groups of women are more likely to develop depression during pregnancy, such as a family history of the illness, and there is a strong tendency for women to develop the condition at some point in their lives. Adolescents can also suffer from depression due to a lack of emotional maturity and support from both the family and the baby's father.

Getting pregnant is a painful and stressful process for some women, especially those who have tried several times. When they finally do get pregnant, there is a great fear of losing the baby, causing a series of chemical changes in the body.

Consequences of depression in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very delicate stage and requires a lot of care. When depression is not diagnosed or treated incorrectly, it can have serious consequences.

The mother and baby are the ones who suffer most from the effects of the illness, but the family can also be affected emotionally. Here's a look at the possible damage that gestational depression can cause.

For the baby

If depression is not diagnosed and treated during pregnancy, the baby may suffer some consequences, such as premature birth, affecting physical and brain development, and being born underweight.

Some studies have shown that babies with mothers suffering from depression are more likely to be hyperactive, irritable and cry easily, compared to non-depressed mothers.

For the mother

Depending on the degree of depression, the effects of the illness can be detrimental to the mother. The loss of interest in looking after herself increases the chances of developing serious illnesses due to malnutrition or the consumption of bad food.

In addition, women are more likely to develop addictions to licit and illicit drugs and, in the most serious cases, may attempt their own lives.

For the family

Pregnancy depression not only affects the mother and the baby, but also has consequences for the family, because understanding and dealing with the illness can affect the emotions of everyone who is part of this important time. Therefore, gestational depression causes a feeling of helplessness and guilt, because they don't know how to help the woman.

How depression in pregnancy is assessed, diagnosed and treated

In order to diagnose and treat depression, it is necessary to follow a few steps. In addition, the illness can manifest itself in different degrees, so the best treatment must be assessed according to each case. Here's how depressed women are assessed, diagnosed and treated. Follow along.

Evaluation

To identify the signs and symptoms of depression in pregnancy, several questions are asked about the woman's life and emotions. Generally, the obstetrician can recognize the emotional changes in the pregnant woman and refer her for psychological or psychiatric care.

However, only a doctor specializing in mental health can make a diagnosis of depression and indicate the best treatment, depending on the degree of the illness. This is why prenatal care is essential, not only for physical health, but also to help take care of a woman's mental health.

When to seek help?

Some pregnancy symptoms, especially in the first trimester and the last three months, can be characteristic of pregnancy. Hormonal changes can be the cause or external events that compromise a woman's mental health.

Therefore, when the most common signs, such as sleeping too much or too little, lack of concentration and mood swings, are persistent, they can be a sign of depression. Therefore, the mother or family should seek help and start treatment as soon as possible, especially women who have a previous history of depressive crises.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing depression is not so simple, because some of the symptoms can be confused with those common during pregnancy. In addition, the illness is unfortunately stigmatized, which means that women don't expose their emotions and afflictions out of fear or shame.

However, when a woman shows more than 5 signs, a diagnosis can be made and, depending on the intensity of the disease, the most appropriate treatment can be indicated.

Treatments for depression in pregnancy

Following the diagnosis of depression in pregnancy, there are a number of treatments that can be effective in helping women recover. However, not all methods are suitable or should be used, because depending on the stage of pregnancy, the use of antidepressants is not recommended, for example.

Psychotherapy

Initially, psychotherapy has the function of helping the woman to be more confident, to expose her anxieties and afflictions, to recognize her value and to feel that she is not alone at such a delicate time as pregnancy. Thus, this treatment is indicated when the depression is of a mild degree, i.e. between 5 and 6 identified symptoms.

Medicines

In more severe cases of depression in pregnancy, where the woman has 7 to 10 symptoms, the psychiatrist may recommend the use of antidepressants. However, it is not advisable to use them in the first trimester of pregnancy because there is a greater chance of miscarriage, malformation or delay in the development of the foetus.

In addition, the use of medicinal plants to treat depression, such as St. John's wort, is contraindicated during this period. To minimize the risks, the doctor usually prescribes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are considered safe.

Complementary treatments

In addition to conventional treatments, there are other complementary procedures that can help women overcome gestational depression. Acupuncture is an ancient method that uses needles at specific points on the body to relieve tension and bring well-being.

Physical exercise is also excellent for releasing hormones such as endorphins, which provide a sense of pleasure and happiness. However, the activity should be light, walking for 10 to 20 minutes a day is enough.

Having a hobby is a therapeutic way of stimulating the mind, with a pleasurable activity that generates personal satisfaction. Therefore, in addition to traditional methods, it is important to introduce other healing possibilities so that the mother can overcome depression quickly and healthily.

Further information on depression in pregnancy

Depression is a mental illness that raises many questions, especially during pregnancy, when it is often overlooked. After all, this period is extremely delicate and requires a lot of care for the mother's physical health, so that the baby is born on time and healthy.

However, there are some important factors that help treat this emotional disorder. In this topic, we'll talk about how to overcome or prevent gestational depression, as well as other relevant information. Check it out below.

How to overcome depression in pregnancy

As soon as gestational depression is diagnosed, it is possible to overcome the illness when it is seriously monitored with the help of a psychiatrist and a psychologist. The support of family, friends and a partner makes all the difference in the healing process.

In addition, rest and a good night's sleep are essential for mental and emotional health. Therefore, with the right treatment and the love of loved ones, depression can be overcome, avoiding possible harm to the mother, especially the baby.

How to help someone with pregnancy depression

The understanding of family members and partners is fundamental to helping someone with gestational depression, so you shouldn't belittle or invalidate the woman's feelings when she exposes her emotions. The environment should be harmonious, with as little friction as possible, so as not to cause stress and discomfort.

It is also extremely important to accompany the pregnant woman to medical appointments and to take part in support and counselling groups. These are all ways of helping someone who is going through such a challenging time.

How to prevent depression in pregnancy

To prevent depression during pregnancy, it's very important to take care of your mental health, regardless of whether you have symptoms or not. In addition, having a support network is essential to bring a sense of security during and after pregnancy. Doing physical activities stimulates the production of endorphins, the hormone responsible for feelings of pleasure.

Maintaining good habits is also a way of preventing this mental disorder, so eating a healthy diet, sleeping well and cutting down on addictions to alcohol and cigarettes will help prevent the disease from developing.

Does depression end after childbirth?

Once a woman has given birth, depression usually doesn't end. It's very common for women to report sadness and other symptoms of the illness in the first 15 days after giving birth. This can be due to the sudden drop in hormones after childbirth. In some cases, there is a significant improvement after this period, with no need for treatment.

However, the disease can manifest itself days or even months after childbirth and tends to be even more serious and more intense if not treated correctly. Therefore, both the mother and family members should be alert to the signs and one of them is a lack of interest or not being able to look after the baby.

What is the difference between pregnancy depression and postpartum depression?

In principle, there are no significant differences between pregnancy and postpartum depression, because the symptoms are similar and may or may not be transient. If the woman has already had the illness at another time in her life, or if it was not properly treated during pregnancy, it is likely that it will manifest itself after childbirth.

But what can differentiate it is that depression in pregnancy tends to be more intense and longer-lasting than after giving birth. In the puerperium, almost 80% of women report mild symptoms of depression, where there is no need for drug treatment and it improves after this period.

Be aware of the symptoms of depression in pregnancy and see a doctor if necessary!

The symptoms of depression can be overlooked, as they are similar to those of pregnancy. However, when these signs are persistent, you need to be alert and seek help from a specialist. This is because the sooner the illness is diagnosed and treated, the greater the chances of a cure.

The support of family and friends is also essential if the illness is to be overcome as quickly as possible. Dealing with a mental illness is not so simple and a support network is needed so that the woman feels protected and supported. After all, with the arrival of the baby, the mother needs to be physically and mentally well.

Unfortunately, depression is still a taboo subject and needs to be demystified so that more women can receive proper assistance during such a special time. We hope that this article has clarified your doubts and helped you recognize the signs of depression in pregnancy.