Many people think that pregnancy is the happiest time of their lives. But in reality, for some people, this time can be a very sad and anxious time. If you feel the same way, don't think, "Oh, am I the only one like this?" This is something that happens to many people. Although we have often heard about postpartum depression, this condition that occurs during pregnancy itself, that is, prenatal depression, is not talked about much. So today, let's talk about this in detail.
What is Prenatal Depression?
Simply put, prenatal depression is depression that occurs during pregnancy. It can make you feel sad and empty for a long time. However, not everyone experiences these symptoms the same way.
There are two main reasons why this condition is difficult to diagnose.
1. Social Perception: There is a big social perception that pregnancy is a time to be happy. So when feeling sad, many women feel guilty about themselves. They think, "Am I not a good mother?"
2. Confusion with normal pregnancy symptoms: It's easy to confuse these symptoms of depression with other symptoms of pregnancy, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and frequent mood swings.
"Some of our patients and even doctors say, 'This is a time when you should be so happy. You can't be sad.' So when you feel these feelings, a lot of people feel alone, thinking, 'Oh, there's something wrong with me, I'm the only one suffering like this.' We tell our patients that you can feel several emotions at the same time. While you're happy about having a baby, you can also feel mentally unwell. That's normal. The important thing is to not hide those feelings and suffer alone, but to ask for help."
If you have these symptoms, it's important to talk to your doctor to find out if it's just normal fatigue or something more.
| Common symptoms of prenatal depression | |
|---|---|
| Intense sadness or emptiness | Feeling like everything is boring, feeling uncontrollable sadness. |
| Not feeling happy | I no longer have any interest or joy in doing things I used to enjoy. |
| Difficulty concentrating | Difficulty concentrating on something and making decisions. |
| Weakness | Feeling more tired than usual during pregnancy and unable to do anything. |
| Harmful thoughts | Having thoughts of harming yourself or taking your life. This is a very serious emergency. |
Who is most at risk for this condition?
While it's normal to experience mood swings during pregnancy, some people are more likely to develop prenatal depression. Let's take a look at what those risk factors are.
| Risk factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Previous history | If you or someone in your family has previously had conditions such as depression or anxiety. |
| Severe mental stress | Facing stressful events such as marital problems, job loss, or illness in a family member. |
| Lack of social support | If you don't get enough support from your husband, family, or friends. |
| Previous abuse | If you have previously been subjected to some kind of violence or abuse. |
| An unplanned pregnancy | Sudden or unexpected pregnancy. |
| Other health problems | Having other medical conditions such as gestational diabetes during pregnancy or having a health problem with the unborn baby. |
Why does prenatal depression occur?
There is no single reason for this. It could be a combination of many reasons. One of the main reasons is hormonal changes . Think about it, during pregnancy, our body's levels of sex hormones, stress hormones, and thyroid hormones change rapidly. Some people's brains are very sensitive to these hormonal changes. This sensitivity may also be genetic. Such people are more likely to develop depressive symptoms due to these hormonal changes.
In addition, concerns about body changes, financial problems, and a thousand other issues can also affect this situation.
What are the treatments for this?
If you think you may have Prenatal Depression, the most important thing to do is to see your doctor as soon as possible and talk about it. Don't just assume, "This is normal during pregnancy." Getting treatment is important for both your health and your baby's.
Before starting treatment, it is important to think about how long you have had these symptoms and how much they interfere with your daily activities (e.g., unable to go to work, unable to talk to family, unable to leave the house).
Medication
Some medications for depression can be safely used during pregnancy, but these should only be prescribed by a doctor . Your doctor will decide which medication is best for you based on your medical condition, past health history, and the health risks to your baby.
Important: If you are taking medication for depression before you become pregnant, never stop taking it without talking to your doctor. The risks of not taking the medication may be much greater than taking the medication. Also, some herbal remedies, such as St. John's wort, are not safe during pregnancy, so do not use anything without medical advice.
Counseling and Therapy
In addition to medications, this condition can be managed well through various therapeutic methods. These do not pose any physical risks to you or your baby.
- Talk Therapy: You can talk about your feelings with a therapist and learn ways to manage them.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): In this, we identify our negative thought patterns and practice changing them to positive ones.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): This helps you understand how your emotions affect your relationships and strengthen your relationships with others.
- Group Therapy: Talking with others who have similar experiences to yours and working with a therapist can be a great relief.
What are the risks if left untreated?
If this condition is left untreated, it can affect you and your unborn baby.
- The impact on you: This could be things like not eating nutritious food, not attending clinics on time, and turning to smoking or alcohol.
- Impact on the baby: The mother's mental health directly affects the baby's development. Research has found that mothers with prenatal depression are at higher risk of having low birth weight babies.
Very important: If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your unborn baby, do not delay and go to a hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately or tell someone you trust and seek immediate medical attention.
How do you deal with this situation?
In addition to medical treatment, there are also things you can do yourself.
- Stay active: With your doctor's approval, doing simple exercise like walking every day can help boost your mood. It's also important to get out and talk to other people instead of staying at home.
- Good food and sleep: Eat a nutritious diet. Drink enough water throughout the day. Try to get as much sleep as possible.
- Get support: Talk openly about your feelings with your husband, family, and friends. Ask them for help. You may be able to find out about support groups for pregnant mothers at your hospital or in your area.
- Reduce stress: Things like meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can help you achieve mental peace.
Take-Home Message
- Prenatal depression is not a weakness on your part, it is a treatable condition. It happens to many people.
- If you feel severe sadness or anxiety that lasts more than two weeks, beyond the normal fatigue you feel during pregnancy, be sure to talk to your doctor.
- There are medications and therapies for this that are safe for both you and your baby.
- Leaving it untreated can put both your and your baby's health at risk.
- You are not alone on this journey. Asking for help is a sign of strength.
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