Depression And Pregnancy: What You Should Know

Depression during pregnancy is a fairly common affliction. As much as ten percent of pregnant women suffer from it. Dealing with it is not easy but is not impossible. With proper medication and support from family and friends, you can overcome it.

What are the main causes of depression during pregnancy? Hormonal changes, mainly estrogen and progesterone, are usually the main culprit. These lead to mood swings which can involve depression. Another cause could be self-doubt brought about by anxiety about becoming a mother. The woman may worry whether or not she is going to be a good mother, or if all the suffering she is going through is truly worth it. The latter usually leads to feelings of shame and guilt, and this leads to depression. If the pregnant woman has suffered a pregnancy loss before, this could compound the depression. She might worry whether or not this pregnancy would be successful. Some treatments for fertility or conception can also cause depression. Another reason is undue stress brought about by overworking.

It is not always easy to differentiate depression from typical mood swings associated with pregnancy. When in doubt, seek medical advice. Medication can help in the more severe cases of depression. However, there are some ways to fight depression without medication. Consider trying some of the following:
- simple exercises such as walking or yoga. Be sure to seek medical advice first.
- maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Smaller, more frequent meals during the day are better than large, infrequent ones.
- share your feelings with your loved ones. Don't isolate yourself from everyone else; interaction with others helps greatly.
- get plenty of rest. Uninterrupted sleep might not be possible with the physical pain or changes you're going through, but rest when you can.
- keep your mind off negative thoughts by keeping yourself busy. While adequate rest is important, some activities such as cooking or cleaning can help. Remember not to overexert yourself.
- listen to relaxing, soothing music. This may even aid your unborn child in appreciating music.
- volunteering or helping others in need. Again, do not overexert yourself, but focusing on other's needs can greatly help in getting your mind off depression.

Do not lose hope that you will overcome depression. Depend on your friends and family for support and do not shut them out of your life. Believe that the darkness is only temporary and will come to pass.

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The author maintains a blog with resources on how to fight depression, including tips for dealing with depression during pregnancy.