Depression during pregnancy | Dr Rama Sofat Hospital

Depression during pregnancy | Dr Rama Sofat Hospital

What is depression?

Depression is a type of mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It's normal to feel down from time to time, but when you're depressed, these feelings can last for weeks or even months. Depression can affect every aspect of your life, from how you think and act to how you eat and sleep explained by Dr Rama Sofat

Even when a woman has depression that's under control, the hormonal shifts her body goes through during pregnancy could lead to a relapse. It's common for women to develop the first signs of postpartum depression (PPD) during pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Some symptoms of depression, such as fatigue or trouble sleeping, are normal during pregnancy. But when you also have a sense of sadness or hopelessness, lose interest or pleasure in things that you used to enjoy, or aren't able to function in your daily life, you may have depression explained by Dr Rama Sofat.

You may be depressed if you have experienced five or more of the following symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks:

• Losing interest in daily activities, or having a sense that nothing is enjoyable or fun anymore
• Feeling "blue," sad, or "empty" for most of the day, every day
• Crying all the time
• Feeling extremely irritated or agitated

What's the treatment for depression during pregnancy?

There are different treatment options available to help you manage the condition. These may include psychotherapy, medication, or both.

It's natural to feel concerned about taking medication while you're pregnant. Your provider will weigh the benefits and risks of medication for you and your baby and explain them so you can make an informed decision about your treatment.

If you were taking medication for depression or any other mental health condition before you became pregnant, don't stop taking it without talking to your provider first. Stopping suddenly could be risky for you and your baby.

How does depression affect a baby?

There isn't a lot of good research about how depression affects babies because it's difficult to separate the effects of depression from the side effects of the antidepressants women take during pregnancy as explained by Dr Rama Sofat.

Untreated depression during pregnancy is linked to a higher likelihood of a baby being born early or having a low birth weight. Research also suggests that babies born to women with depression are more likely to be irritable and may cry more than babies born to moms who aren't depressed.

The risks involved with taking an antidepressant are small and vary depending on the medication, the dose, and how long you take it.