Treatment of depression during pregnancy: drugs and folk remedies

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

If pregnancy is the best and happiest state of a woman, then why is it sometimes the other way around? Why do some pregnant women fall into hopeless melancholy and depression, which, of course, affects the unborn child?

Depression during pregnancy is the "acquisition" of our century. The hormones produced should supposedly bring more joy to a woman's life, and they are, but this is provided that the pregnant woman is socially and emotionally protected. Strong stress and forcing negative attitudes for an emotionally unstable psyche at this time are completely contraindicated.

But what to do if, nevertheless, the oppressed state continues to worsen? How to get rid of depression during pregnancy?

Features of the mental state of a pregnant woman

If the pregnancy is planned and the woman is in a warm trusting relationship with the father of the child, then she does not experience any special stressis going through. But hormonal fluctuations still affect the psyche, and a woman can do nothing about it. Therefore, it is desirable for both the husband and work colleagues to be sympathetic to the condition of a woman, to allow her to "let off steam." And soon, with the onset of the 2nd trimester, this should pass.

However, severe melancholy and a permanently gloomy and depressed state in the first trimester is not a normal manifestation of hormonal surges. Depression and psychoses do not belong to the norm of behavior during this period. Most likely, there are other reasons that need to be sorted out. And if a woman feels depressed for a long time, it is better to turn to a psychologist.

Causes of depression in pregnant women

The depressed and apathetic state of a woman who carries a child is a pretty bad indicator. One thing is stress, which is easier to work with. But depressive disorder is treated primarily with medications. And any chemical drugs are contraindicated for the fetus.

What causes this state?

• Constantly winding yourself up.
• Excessive stress at work leading to chronic fatigue and life dissatisfaction.
• Unplanned and unwanted pregnancy.
• Risks of pathology in a child.
• Material insecurity.
• Quarrelations with husband or his relatives.
• Fear of being a bad mother.
• Disrupted hormonal background with problems in the work of the main hormonal"bases" - thyroid glands.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Death of a relative or close friend.

It's pointless to think about something that hasn't happened yet. That's what psychologists say at the reception. There is no need to worry and reach a nervous breakdown, fearing for the physical or mental deficiencies of the unborn child. After all, if there are significant medical reasons leading to fetal defects, then the gynecologist would tell you about it.

When the birth of a child is planned, not only the physiological state of the expectant mother is important, but also her psychological he alth. If a girl has always been somewhat suspicious, overly cautious and inclined to exaggerate the difficulties of life, then she needs to undergo a course of psychotherapy and learn to cope with the influx of depressive thoughts.

How to spot depression?

As a disease based on a lack of certain mediators in the brain, depression has well-defined characteristics. Let's list them:

• loss of appetite;
• a person constantly feels tired;
• exaggerated sense of worthlessness;
• irritability;
• reluctance to talk to anyone;
• alienation from loved ones;
• lethargy, no interest in anything;
• the world around us is losing color for a person.

With her attitudes, a woman, as it were, drives herself into this dark corner. And if you do not work with your thoughts, then the situation will continueget worse. A negatively minded woman can lose a child. It is necessary to turn on reflection - to be aware of your attitudes and change them to the opposite.

First and second trimesters

Statistically, women are more likely to suffer from depression. They are more suspicious, susceptible to emotions and hard to endure quarrels with loved ones. Hormonal restructuring and various fears trigger the mechanism of depression, the woman feels that she cannot cope with anything, her stomach has made her ugly, and her husband may already be looking for another. Such thoughts have a terrible effect on a woman.

Relatives and friends should support at this time, connect to some kind of activity, interest in new books and films.

What is the danger of depression during pregnancy? The first trimester is dangerous because even many herbs known as sedatives are contraindicated, as they can cause miscarriage. Baths with aromatic oils, used in case of neurosis and depression, are also prohibited. A woman will have to rely solely on psychotherapy and self-hypnosis.

In cases where there are risks of an unsuccessful outcome of pregnancy, you should not despair either. We must hope for the best. After all, probability is not a fait accompli.

Depression during pregnancy also develops due to quarrels with her husband, or even more so if the man refused to raise his child. Then the woman needs to start a course of psychotherapy as soon as possible and restore activity and good spirits. After all, she will have totwice as hard.

Depression during pregnancy. Third trimester. How to deal with panic?

Most of the gestational period behind. You are in your third trimester. For what reasons can panic and depression develop at this time? Depression during pregnancy in the third trimester is often associated with the fear of childbirth. Especially if a woman is going through this experience for the first time. Courses for pregnant women help to fight fears. At such courses, a woman will find support and learn how childbirth goes and how to prepare her body for this test.

Additional information from reliable sources always helps to better understand upcoming events and mentally tune in to them correctly. It is useful to read books by prominent obstetrician-gynecologists during this period, consult with your gynecologist, and seek support on forums on the Internet. However, don't be intimidated by those who had a bad first birth experience. Most likely, everything will be fine for you.

The influence of the emotional state of a pregnant woman on the fetus

Whatever the causes of depression during pregnancy, a woman cannot give up. Just not in this situation. Maternal depression has several negative consequences:

• a baby may be born already with emotional disorders;
• newborn will be underweight and in poor he alth;
• spontaneous abortion.

A woman should understand that now she is responsible not only for her he alth, but also for the well-being of the baby inside her. It is forbiddenrefuse to eat, go out and mope all the time. She needs to go outside and breathe fresh air every day for 2-3 hours.

Perhaps a child will be an emotional support and support for a woman when she grows up. It is better to think about it, and not be sad because of temporary difficulties and troubles. The most important task at this time is to make sure that the child knows from the womb that he is desired by this family. All a woman and her environment should worry about is how to get out of depression during pregnancy.

If an expectant mother, due to disagreements at work or at home, feels an overabundance of negative emotions inside, she can scream and break a couple of plates if she wants to. A short-term surge of emotions will not hurt the baby. Although it is still better to relieve tension with special gymnastics or yoga.

But a long-term stressful state, which leads to a loss of enthusiasm and shatters the psyche, is already not good for both mother and fetus.

Girlfriend's advisers

Of course, a depressed expectant mother needs support. Girlfriends of a pregnant woman do not always have specialized knowledge in the field of psychology, and their advice cannot be taken seriously. But their kind disposition is still to be appreciated.

Girlfriends don't always know what to say and what not to say. For example, a person in such a depressed state does not need to be offered to "pull himself together." Or say a phrase like - "throw everything out of your head." Such phrases only spoilrelations between people, since it is simply impossible to get together with apathy. It is useless to talk about understanding. If a person has not experienced depression himself, he cannot understand how hard it is for another. All that can be done is to gently offer to go for a walk and talk. But it is better to talk to a psychologist during such periods of life.

What to do about depression?

If you know that not everything is in order, how people calm you down, and depression gradually develops during pregnancy, what should you do? To overcome the situation, you need to contact a specialist. It is very difficult to look at yourself and your reactions objectively on your own. The psychologist, knowing that you are pregnant, will try to find a way out of the situation without the use of antidepressants. There are many ways to add joy to your days and learn to love life. So what do you need?

1. Observe the daily routine very strictly. Don't let yourself get up late on Saturday. Better get up with the first rays of the sun and do what you love.
2. Swimming has an excellent healing effect. Worth signing up for the pool.
3. Get a parrot if you're not allergic to fluff. Parrots are funny and get along well with people. And he will not bring harm to the born child.
4. Be interested in something new. For example, start learning another language or take art classes.
5. It is useful to practice yoga for pregnant women.
6. Ask your husband to take you to the zoo or some exciting show. It is good for you to spend time together and build a warm relationship.

In many cases, you have to force yourself to be interested in something. Mornings should start with a forced smile. Even if at first the face with a distorted smile in the mirror seems unnatural and stupid. It is necessary to send a signal to the brain that "everything is OK!". Then there will be an appetite and a desire to go out and socialize.

Depression during pregnancy is not the best way to show love to your man. Remember that your husband still needs your attention. He can still endure depression in the first trimester, but for all 9 months of your irreconcilable hostility to him and to the world, a man may not be able to endure and leave. It's too hard for him.

Antidepressants. Species

Depression during pregnancy - in the second trimester and possibly in the third - is sometimes treated with antidepressants, as a woman must actively take care of herself during this period, plan her life after childbirth, look for a good maternity hospital and so on. And antidepressants work faster than psychotherapy.

What types of antidepressants are suitable for pregnant women?

• serotonin reuptake inhibitors (selective) (SSRIs);
• inhibitors (selective) of serotonin and norepinephrine uptake (SNRI);
• tricyclic antidepressants.

Sometimes they give Bupropion. This type of drug is prescribed when selective inhibitors do not give the desired result. But this is not the best option for pregnancy pills.

Other drugs, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are completely contraindicated. They arecause developmental delay in the embryo. "Paroxetine" from the SSRI group leads to defects in the development of the heart muscle. And his psychiatrist also has no right to prescribe.

Remember, though, to deal with depression in other ways. Antidepressants are extreme measures, if it's already bad and restless. But it is better to go out into nature, walk more in the air, especially if the pregnancy occurred in spring or summer.

How do SSRI drugs work?

No antidepressant works well on the embryo. It is best to let the fetus develop naturally. But sometimes a woman can neither eat nor sleep, because she does not have enough serotonin - the hormone of joy. Therefore, drugs are needed to ensure that the hormone is enough, at least to fall asleep.

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the latest 3rd generation drugs that are designed to protect people from negative consequences as much as possible. Their action is to lengthen the period during which the mediator acted on nerve cells. It is used to treat neurosis, panic attacks, anxiety and depression.

How to deal with depression during pregnancy? Take your own pills? In no case. Only by appointment of a psychiatrist.

Folk wisdom to help pregnant women

A pregnant woman should know which herbs she is forbidden to take during the gestational period. This is motherwort, lavender, plantain. Yarrow, St. John's wort and aloe are prohibited. Sage is suitable for rinsing the mouth, but harms the circulation in the placenta. drink itit is forbidden. Valerian, which is commonly used as a sedative, can cause a severe headache in a pregnant woman.

The best option for raising vitality is to eat he althy food. Oranges in the morning, juices, dried fruits. You can mix honey, nuts and dried fruits and eat several tablespoons of this mixture a day.

You can eat cheese and chocolate containing tryptophan. This food will help increase the production of serotonin. Cheese (but not with mold) can be consumed in any quantity. However, with chocolate, a pregnant woman should be extremely careful. Eat orange foods - tangerines, carrots, pumpkin. Some scientists read, it helps to tune in to joy. Lemons and grapefruits are also useful in small quantities. Depression during pregnancy (second trimester), if not too advanced, can heal on its own after establishing work and rest schedules and eating habits.

You can cheer up not only with food. Listening to your favorite songs and dancing also save you from depression. A little warm-up in the morning and light housework are even necessary. If a woman is forbidden to do everything, then she will also develop depression from a lack of physical activity.

Benefits of communication

In a period of depression and apathy, you can not stay alone at home. Go to a poetry reading at a poetry club or a concert by your favorite band. Try to find at least something that will interest you and give you a boost of energy to continue working on yourself.

Be sure to take a course of psychotherapy. Depression during pregnancy, the second especially hertrimester, is also dangerous because it takes away the opportunity to establish an emotional relationship between the mother and the embryo. Namely, at this time it is important to speak with kindness to the child.

How can a psychologist help you? The specialist will develop a plan of work with you, talk about how to improve your mood, dispel fears. And then the main stage of "transforming" negative attitudes into positive ones will begin.

Conclusions

If the question of how to cope with depression during pregnancy has been tormenting for a long time, you should definitely find a family psychologist. Working with a specialist will help overcome all fears about the future, and by the time the hour of childbirth comes, a woman, after a course of psychotherapy, is usually mentally prepared for all possible events. And only in critical situations, the doctor prescribes the safest antidepressants.

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