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Article Series: Pregnancy
Pregnancy: Everything You Need To Know
Depression
During Pregnancy
Depression
during pregnancy is so common. The hormone fluxes and chemical reactions in the body make
it go out of whack. By the time you get used to it, you are
delivering and have to re-adjust to non-pregnancy levels of
hormones. It can be a bit confusing and frightening. Many women
who find out they are pregnant go from total bliss to absolute
despair the first month. They wonder what made them to embark
this journey in the first place and may feel like crying. This
is the sometimes not-so-wonderful world of hormones. Depending
on how long it lasts, will determine your next step.
Most newly pregnant women respond to their new
wave of hormones in many ways, a slight depression is one of them. The effects
of the progesterone leave them tired and not feeling well.
This in turn becomes a vicious cycle and causes a mild form
of depression that should not last too long. Most women tend
to feel better as the pregnancy progresses and the depression
is replaced by other normal symptoms. For some women, the feelings
last. They hold back all their fears and can become detached
from the pregnancy and that just makes the depression worse.
This can become bad if kept in hiding too long. Treatment is
needed when pregnancy depression exceeds the effects of hormones.
Depression is a very
serious disease that causes not only
the affected to suffer, but all those around her as well. She
may not even realize she is depressed and becoming reclusive.
It is important that if you see yourself or partner becoming
distant, withdrawn, or overly weepy, that you talk to the doctor.
Many things can be done and there are many medications that
are safe during pregnancy. There are several signs of depression
that may be overlooked during pregnancy. They look like typical
pregnancy symptoms at first and even second glance.
Moodiness is a typical part of pregnancy or so everyone has
heard. You can expect to change moods like underwear for the
first few weeks of pregnancy. You may feel like you are on
a mental roller coaster. One minute you are happy and the next
sad and feel every emotion possible in between. This is normal
and should pass once your body adjusts to the new hormones.
If it doesn’t, and you seem to become agitated and frustrated
at the slightest things, and nothing takes you out of your
despair then see you doctor. You may feel withdrawn and detached.
Concentration is another issue that arises in pregnancy. They
call it the pregnancy brain and this is when women forget the
silliest of things, such as where they put their keys or a
word. This will stay like this until after delivery, but it
will be more amusing than anything. When it gets really bad
and coincides with other symptoms, this could also be depression.
If you can’t find the strength to concentrate on the simplest
tasks such as hygiene, preparing for the baby, or activities
of daily life, then something might be wrong.
Sleepiness is also one the big pregnancy side effects. Women
tend to be really tired during the first trimester as hormones
continue to rise quickly. This is normal and most women find
they get a burst of energy after that. If you are sleeping
more than you are awake or can’t bear to be out of bed, there
might be a problem. Pregnant women are tired, but not so tired
they can’t get up to do anything.
Appetite is a tricky one for sure. Many people with depression
comfort themselves with food, while others don’t eat at all.
During pregnancy a women might go from one extreme to the other
at different times because of the nausea. You may find she
is eating more at particular points and then won’t eat anything
for many hours. What to look for is what and how she eats,
along with other behaviors. If she doesn’t eat for days and
won’t get out of bed then asks for a huge bowl of ice cream,
there is room for concern. Eating right is a key element of
pregnancy. If she doesn’t get the proper nutrition she needs,
the baby or mother can suffer greatly. Make sure that she is
drinking water and take her to the doctor. Depression during
pregnancy is treatable and should not be left till after the
baby is born. This can make the postpartum depression worse
or even harm the baby from lack of essentials for good growth
and development. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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