Prenatal depression: causes, symptoms and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Prenatal depression is one of the causes of poor he alth of a pregnant woman. And it would seem that what can overshadow such a magical time for any woman? I am sure that each of the expectant mothers will find an excuse for herself, without becoming at the same time understanding the real reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon. And yet, where does depression during pregnancy come from and how does it manifest itself?

General characteristics of the state

There is a misconception that depression in pregnant women occurs only immediately before childbirth. But it's not. She can accompany a woman throughout pregnancy, and each stage of childbearing has its own characteristics.

Some signs of blues are associated only with hormonal changes in a woman's body, and therefore they are considered as a temporary and passing phenomenon, while others may be of a more complex nature. Therefore, depression during pregnancy is treated differently depending on the period of gestation.

First trimester

This period of pregnancy psychologists refer to as the "period of denial." It is especially characteristic of women who do not have an unpleasant symptom - toxicosis. The period of denial is characterized by a woman's unwillingness to take into account her interesting position and change her daily lifestyle.

Emotional background of a woman in the first trimester of pregnancy

Mood swings, nervousness and aggressiveness are quite normal for this stage. Many men notice that their pregnant wife becomes cold towards them. Not taking into account the fact that the body of a woman in this period is experiencing tremendous stress. This can cause disagreements in the family, which, in turn, can provoke the appearance of a depressive state in a woman.

Pay close attention to the emotional state of a pregnant woman when the general symptoms of blues are of a protracted nature. If a man smooths out all the critical moments in relations with his wife and sets her in a positive way, then the first trimester of pregnancy will pass without incident.

Second trimester

At this stage of pregnancy, the belly is already actively beginning to grow, so every day a woman begins to become more aware of her position. Moreover, as a rule, this awareness is associated with thoughts about how she will have to change her usual life, what she will have to give up and what she will have to sacrifice for the sake of the child.

Many start inthis period of pregnancy look for new hobbies and change your lifestyle. Some begin to knit, others draw, others enroll in culinary courses. During this trimester of pregnancy, the risk of falling into a depressive state is the lowest.

However, those women who are acutely experiencing physical changes in the body (growing belly, pain in the lower back, joints, etc.) may experience certain mental abnormalities. The physical and psychological state of a person are very closely related. Therefore, those women who experience some inconvenience due to their new position should pay more attention to sleep and rest.

Third trimester: prenatal depression

The third trimester is the most dangerous period in terms of emotional and psychological disorders. Women in the last months of pregnancy are already fully aware of their situation and imagine their upcoming lifestyle in colors. And they usually don't find it too rosy.

Depression before childbirth may occur due to a woman's inner fear of becoming a housewife. Many invest in this concept eternal cooking, washing diapers, mountains of dirty dishes and all the other delights of home care.

This condition is so common that it is already "recorded" in prenatal symptoms. At the end of the term, the woman is already tired both physically and emotionally. She has a hard time with daily activities, so most of the time she spends lying or sitting onsofa. Such fatigue further affects the behavior of a woman, so most often she seeks to retire and consider the correctness of her decision to become a mother. Without serious support from loved ones, this condition can drag on, which is very dangerous. After all, the birth of a child awaits her ahead, and prenatal depression can prevent a woman from tuning in to the upcoming difficulties. Let us dwell on the characteristics of this state.

Reasons

The first thing to figure out is where prenatal depression in pregnant women comes from. The causes of occurrence can be very diverse. The fact is that during pregnancy, the hormonal background of a woman changes dramatically, so she reacts more sharply to everyday life difficulties than before. But among the most common causes of prenatal depression, the following can be distinguished:

• Conflicts in the family. Close relatives need to clearly understand that a pregnant woman reacts very sharply to all conflict situations, especially if they are somehow related to her position. Protracted quarrels can cause the development of prenatal depression.
• Financial difficulties. Before an important event in life, all women experience the so-called nesting effect. If the future mother, due to her financial capabilities, cannot purchase all the things she thinks are necessary for the child, then she falls into a depressive state.
• Unhe althy lifestyle. It has been observed that women who lead an active lifestyle regularly and fully eat andobserve a sleep and rest regimen, are less prone to conditions such as prenatal depression.
• Bad habits. Nicotine, alcohol and drug addiction is a direct path to the onset of a painful condition before childbirth.
• Fear of upcoming status. Even if the appearance of a child in the family is a planned event, this does not guarantee that the woman will not begin to doubt the correctness of her decision. Especially acutely these doubts begin to torment her in the last days before the birth. Therefore, in such a situation, a man needs to understand that his pregnant wife requires special attention.
• Difficult pregnancy. When the pregnancy is unfavorable and a woman periodically has to go to the hospital under the supervision of doctors, she experiences a lot of negative emotions, such as fear, despair, weakness, and so on. Ultimately, all these negative emotions can develop into prenatal depression.

Knowing the cause, it is much easier to deal with it. As a rule, cases in which it is impossible to do without the help of a qualified specialist are extremely rare.

Symptoms

Like any other disease, prenatal depression has its own symptoms. Many people take very important signs lightly and attribute them to a bad mood, but this is fundamentally wrong. It is much more difficult to deal with a neglected form of a psychological disorder than at its first manifestations.

Common symptoms of prenatal depression include:

• increasedirritability;
• tearfulness;
• prolonged state of alarm;
• distracted attention;
• loss of concentration;
• constant feeling of hunger or, conversely, lack of appetite;
• feeling lethargic, tired, detached;
• drowsy;
• Guilt, fear, hopelessness;
• lack of sleep;
• panic fear of childbirth;
• doubt in yourself and in your abilities.

Many of these symptoms are considered completely normal during pregnancy. For example, a huge number of pregnant women experience a constant feeling of hunger, while not suffering from this disorder. It is worth considering that one symptom cannot be a cause for concern, but a combination of several signs of a disease can be a reason to contact a specialist.

How do I deal with prenatal depression on my own?

If the symptoms of a disease state are not so pronounced and are intermittent, then you can try to cope with it yourself. Here are a few ways to help get rid of a negative mindset:

1. You can get rid of bad thoughts with the help of your favorite thing. It can be cooking, drawing, reading - anything, as long as it brings positive emotions to a woman.
2. Create a clear daily routine and strictly adhere to it. If you follow a clear daily routine, then a pregnant woman simply will not have time to be distracted by her own experiences.
3. Exercisefor pregnant women can not only prepare the expectant mother for the upcoming birth, but also cheer her up.
4. The main enemy of a woman with symptoms of prenatal depression is loneliness. Therefore, she needs to avoid him by any means. You should spend more time with friends, family, colleagues, and not quietly wait for your husband from work within four walls.

Many pregnant women for some reason are afraid to share their experiences with their loved ones. But this is fundamentally wrong. If a woman is overwhelmed with negative emotions, she must definitely seek help and support from people close to her.

When should I see a specialist?

When a woman's prenatal condition causes concern not only for herself, but also for those around her, it is worth thinking about qualified help. Close people of a pregnant woman should be alerted by the following signs:

• panic fear of motherhood;
• apathy for everything that happens;
• forcing guilt and hopelessness;
• indifference to intimate life with her husband;
• a sharp decrease or increase in body weight;
• talking about death or suicide.

Prenatal depression is treated by family psychologists. Depending on the complexity of the psychological disorder, different methods of therapy are used, including pharmacological ones. To date, many drugs have been developed that are safe for both mother and child. But a speedy recovery can be achieved only withwith the help of reliable and strong support from loved ones.