Depression Killers

Pregnancy is a time of many changes not only for your body, but also for your mind. Your mood can swing from sunny to dark, and you’ll probably start worrying more than usual. And no matter how much you’re looking forward to your baby’s arrival, you just might find yourself feeling depressed.

By some estimates, depression strikes one in five women during pregnancy. If you’re feeling down during pregnancy, you may be tempted to overlook your feelings or beat yourself up for feeling sad at a time that ought to be one of the happiest occasions of your life. But you don’t have to let depression take over your life. By taking depression seriously, you can

rediscover the joys of pregnancy, worries and all.

Far too many women accept depression as a part of pregnancy. A recent survey of 1,837 pregnant women in Michigan found that only 33 percent of those who were experiencing major depression received any treatment. This may be because of the general misconception that pregnancy is a purely blissful state and that if a woman isn’t happy, she should be. But depression is not something to be ashamed of, and if you deny your feelings you may be less likely to take care of yourself — and your unborn child. The consequences can be extreme: Some studies have shown that maternal depression may raise the risk of preterm birth, low birthweight, and low Apgar scores in newborns.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Mood swings are common during pregnancy, largely because of the dramatic increase in hormones coursing through a woman’s system. But if you find that you are having trouble shaking the blues, or if you don’t have the energy or will to perform routine tasks, you may be suffering from depression.

Symptoms of depression can include irritability, ongoing sadness, appetite loss, compulsive eating, constant fatigue, disturbed sleep, inability to focus or think clearly, extreme mood swings, and anxiety. If any of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, they could signal depression.

What causes depression during pregnancy?

Leah Seidler, a San Francisco psychotherapist who specializes in pregnancy-related issues, says that a wide range of feelings are to be expected during pregnancy, not all of them positive. “It is a rich and multifaceted experience that includes fear and loneliness, as well as joy and excitement,” she says.

Seidler points out that pregnancy has been increasingly medicalized in recent years as Western medicine has become more sophisticated, and pregnancy treatments and interventions more elaborate. This is a positive change in many ways, because it has made childbirth generally safer. On the other hand, says Seidler, “We now treat pregnancy like a disease, rather than a joyful, powerful transition in a woman’s life.”

Am I at risk for depression during pregnancy?

If you’ve experienced depression before, or if you have close family members who have wrestled with the problem, you are more vulnerable to depression after you become pregnant. Financial concerns or relationship problems also put you at risk.

Pregnancy can be especially nerve-racking if you’ve had infertility problems or miscarriages in the past. As months go by, that anxiety can easily shift to depression. Finally, if you have recently experienced a significant life change — a move to a new city, a job loss, a recent breakup, or the death of a loved one — you are more vulnerable to depression.

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