Having a baby is a lovely moment for most women, a time when they are joyful and delighted to welcome a newborn into their household. However, it can be unpleasant and challenging for some women. Despite taking antidepressants, many pregnant women have sadness and anxiety symptoms throughout their pregnancy and after giving birth, according to a recent research.
Pregnant Women May Experience Depression, Anxiety Post Delivery
Despite medicines, pregnant women continue to feel sadness and anxiety throughout their pregnancy and after delivery, according to a research published in the journal Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice.
Anxiety symptoms are common in depressed women who have been treated, with some women’s symptoms getting worse with time. This is the first study to look at the different stages of depression and anxiety in pregnant and postpartum women. During their pregnancy, 18% of women experienced minor depression symptoms, 50% experienced mild depressive symptoms, and 32% experienced clinically severe depressive symptoms.
Dr. Katherine Wisner, senior author and director of the Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said that this type of study “let us know that these women need to be continuously monitored during pregnancy and postpartum, so their clinicians can tailor their treatment to alleviate their symptoms.”
Depression In Pregnant Women Increase The Risk Of Childhood Disorders
Perinatal depression and anxiety are frequent in pregnant and postpartum women, impacting 20% of them. Approximately 500,000 pregnancies in the United States each year occur in women who have or will have mental illnesses during pregnancy. According to the study’s findings, children born to depressed moms are more likely to suffer childhood developmental issues such as cognitive impairments, visual, hearing, and speech disabilities, autism, ADHD, and so on.
Symptoms Of Perinatal Depression
Depression has several symptoms and indicators with normal pregnancy. For example, you’re likely to be exhausted, suffer insomnia, go through emotional shifts, and gain weight if you take either. As a result, any depressive symptoms may be hidden by your pregnancy. Look out for the following symptoms of depression during pregnancy:
- Frequent crying
- Sleeping trouble
- Lethargy
- Low energy
- Appetite changes
- Anxiety
- Trouble connecting with the developing baby
Women with depression before pregnancy may experience more significant symptoms than they did before.
Symptoms Of Postpartum Depression (PPD)
PPD is a complicated mix of physical, mental, and behavioural changes that some women experience after having a baby. Reports suggest that postpartum depression is a type of serious depression that develops within four weeks of giving birth. Some of the common symptoms of the condition include:
- Sleeping troubles
- Changes in appetite
- Severe fatigue
- Lower libido
- Mood changes
Some of the other symptoms that may be similar to major depression, which may not be common after childbirth, may include:
- Not feeling close in your baby
- Feeling depressed
- Anger
- Hopelessness or worthlessness
- Thoughts of suicide
- Thoughts of hurting yourself
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
