Prenatal Depression
Filed Under Mom Talk |
Prenatal depression, according to varying research, affects about 15-20% of expecting moms. This is a significantly higher number (25-50% more) than the number of postpartum women who experience postpartum depression. Yet many people and even caregivers are not aware of it or trained to properly identify and treat this problem. In fact, as in my case, many women who experience pregnancy depression are unaware that the symptoms are being triggered by the pregnancy and that it can be treated.
When I began experiencing feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and rage followed by lethargy in my second pregnancy, it didn’t even dawn on me that I had a pregnancy-induced condition. Despite being very experienced in the field of prenatal and postnatal wellness, I had not heard of this. Having experienced severe postpartum depression with my first child, no one ever mentioned my increased risk for pregnancy depression or that pregnancy depression even exists.
I found out about the condition by doing my own research online. Once I became aware of the condition, I called a local agency to get help. However, they took three weeks to call me back which left me dealing with it for quite a while on my own.
We still have much to learn about depression in the childbearing years. In the meantime, we all have to do a better job of getting informed about the symptoms and being prepared to support women in our communities.
Four key things that can help improve outcomes are:
• Regular exercise
• Proper nutrition (including keeping an optimal amount of essential fatty acids in your diet)
• Sleep
• Support
If you have concerns about prenatal depression call your doctor and ask for help.
Take great care of you,
Andrea Page
Comments
1 Comment so far
There really are many things that are right in front of us on a daily basis that can help with this mental state.