Depression in Pregnancy
Depression is a typical mood disorder that often affects people without even any specific reason; women are quite vulnerable to this disorder especially when they are pregnant. It has been observed globally that 1 out of 4 women suffer from depression during pregnancy due to variation of hormonal balance in their health system.
During pregnancy often pregnant ladies suffer from mood swing due to change of hormonal balance in their body. Often the problem of depression gets muddled with this mood swing problem and people fail to understand the problem of depression increasing. Without proper attention the problem may get worse even.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression During Pregnancy
However, symptoms of depression during pregnancy can be clearly anticipated if they are known beforehand. Some general signs and symptoms of depression in a pregnant woman are:
- Unconditional and long lasting sadness
- Feeling difficulty in concentrating
- Feeling too sleepy or suffering from unusual sleeplessness
- Loss of interest in activities that she was taking interest in
- Suffering from negative thoughts like death, getting agitated about hopeless surrounding, and in some extreme cases suicidal mentality
- Recurring bout of anxiety, fault of guilt, and a feeling of worthlessness
- Abrupt change in eating habit: either indulging for binge eating or not enjoying even the most favourite food at all.
How To Treat Depression During Pregnancy
Identifying the trigger can help in naturally reduce depression while you are pregnant.
Depression can be fatal but the good news is with proper care and attention the problem can be mostly cured. One of easiest ways to reduce the bout of depression during pregnancy is to identify the trigger acting as the catalyst. The common possible triggers for women suffering is depression during pregnancy are:
- Recurring relationship issue and tension
- History of pregnancy loss
- Genetic history of depression
- History of abuse or domestic violence
- Complications in pregnancy.
- In some cases side effect of infertility treatment induces depression.
Untreated depression can badly hamper baby’s growth or the carrying mother’s well being during pregnancy and even after the birth of the baby. Babies born to mothers suffering from depression during pregnancy may be less active, may show unconditional restlessness than babies born to moms hale and hearty. This is the reason complete and careful treatment of depression is essential for a pregnant lady for the sake of her mental health during and after pregnancy as well as it is important for the baby’s over all well being.
Negative effect of antidepressant medicines on baby in pregnancy
Although it is not completely clinically proven, often doctors avoid prescribing medicine antidepressant during pregnancy. It is somehow observed that antidepressant medicines poses negative effect on baby and mother. Some antidepressants may affect the growth of fetus causing heart defects and in some cases it has been observed that newborn baby often suffer from irritation. It is a controversial issue indeed and therefore majority of pregnant ladies prefer natural remedies for treatment of depression during pregnancy.
Natural treatment of depression during pregnancy
There are some natural treatment remedies that are well proven for controlling the bout of depression during pregnancy. These are side effect less and can be practiced without any major supervision of the doctor and care givers.
Get sufficient rest
Adequate rest is always recommended for an expecting lady. Adequate rest reduces fatigue and physical discomfort. As a result the pregnant lady can enjoy physical relief and discomfort. However, too much rest may cause sluggishness and it is important to maintain a pattern for enjoying rest.
Exercise can be rejuvenating
Depression or no depression, doctor often prescribes light exercise for a pregnant lady according to her health and physical condition. If a pregnant lady suffers from depression, regular exercise will work as a natural medicine for controlling the intensity of this mood disorder. According to clinical observation, exercise increases serotonin level and reduces cortisol hormone level, thus helps in reducing the intensity of depression in a pregnant woman.
Similarly, practising meditation and some specific yoga postures can help a pregnant woman to keep control on her depression level.
Omega 3 Fatty Acid
Regular intake of fish in diet supplies Omega 3 Fatty Acid for a pregnant woman. The ladies are on vegetarian diet should consume supplement of Omega 3 Fatty Acid. However, during pregnancy a carrying lady should have fish oil without mercury content to ensure better growth of her baby in the womb.
Acupuncture (for severe depression)
This needle therapy was widely recommended for reducing the problem of depression in pregnant women even in ancient day in Asian countries. However, the treatment therapy should be performed by an experienced therapist only.
Light therapy (for severe depression)
It has been observed globally that natural light therapy helps in controlling the irritating symptoms of depression in a lady during her pregnancy. Short time exposure under morning sunlight will help in enjoying the benefit of light therapy as a safe and healthy natural treatment of depression.
Diet Therapy
Healthy and nutritious diet is helpful for a pregnant lady to naturally control her problem of depression during her pregnancy period.
Some of the recommended food and drinks are:
Orange juice, apple, vitamin C based foods, fish and fish oil, cabbage, broccoli, etc.
Some of the prohibited food in depression fighting diet
Foods with high additives, processed carbohydrates, caffeine-based foods and drinks, sugary foods and drinks, as well as excessive tea and coffee should be mostly avoided.
Hypnosis (for severe depression)
Hypnosis sessions can actually help you in treating depression and you will feel good about your baby and avoid being depress naturally.
Besides trying all these natural depression preventing remedies, it is always good to speak to someone supportive: mental clarity can help a pregnant lady to enjoy quick control on her depression. In case no one is available for sharing personal problem of depression, she should speak to her doctor immediately.
However, it is always wise not to attempt to face depression during pregnancy alone. This can be risky for both the baby and the mother.
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