By Terrie Johnson| UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

The prevalence of depression in expectant mothers is high. This mental health disorder affects pregnant women and presents through fatigue, loss of appetite, suicidal ideation, and hopelessness, among other signs. The causes of depression during pregnancy are diverse and vary among individuals. For some people, this condition emanates from life-related uncertainties. For instance, unplanned pregnancies are stressful and often shake relationships. Thus, a woman may become depressed if her partner leaves and she is unsure if she can take care of the baby by herself. Also, one may have lost a previous pregnancy or child and is afraid that the events could reoccur. Thus, it is critical for would-be parents to seek psychotherapy before and during pregnancy to make the process smoother.

Depression in pregnant women can also occur due to pregnancy-related complications. During pregnancy, the body produces hormones that help with fetal growth. However, they are responsible for severe mood swings in some women. Negative mood changes accompanying pregnancy can turn into depression if they are not controlled. For example, one may have chronic, unexplained sadness. Failure to seek professional help results in depression because the body cannot regulate moods effectively during pregnancy. Moreover, physical pain in limbs or muscles during pregnancy can become chronic, which leads to depression.

While maternal depression can occur in patients who have never had this condition, those who have had it before are at a higher risk. According to Jahan et al. (2021), it affects fetal well-being and could result in preterm birth, low birth weight, or neurodevelopmental issues. Thus, expectant mothers should prioritize mental health by focusing on the positive outcomes of pregnancy. Regardless of the challenges, the result of pregnancy is a beautiful baby. Therefore, concentrating on what one can control protects the child and mother from physical and emotional turmoil. For example, women can engage in activities that make them look forward to having the baby, like shopping and knitting infant garments. Finally, one could spend time with other parents or attend child-care classes if they doubt their parenting abilities.

If you think you might have depression during pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider about how you feel to determine your next steps. You are not alone.

Reference

Jahan, N., Went, T. R., Sultan, W., Sapkota, A., Khurshid, H., Qureshi, I. A., & Alfonso, M. (2021). Untreated depression during pregnancy and its effect on pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.17251