How Depression Can Harm Your Baby During Pregnancy

Although many people associate pregnancy with joy, 10% to 20% of expectant mothers have depressive symptoms. Depression can pose severe hazards to both the mother and the baby. Untreated North Chelmsford depression can also result in poor eating, excessive drinking, smoking, and suicidal tendencies, which can contribute to early delivery, low birth weight, and developmental issues. A depressed woman frequently lacks the strength or motivation to care for herself or her developing baby effectively. Furthermore, babies born to depressive mothers may be less active, pay less attention, and be more disturbed than babies born to non-depressed mothers.

What is depression?

Depression is an emotional condition that affects your mood. It might lead to emotions of despair and detachment. A sad mood is a typical reaction to loss, change, life’s difficulties, or self-esteem concerns. However, depression may occasionally be severe, linger for a long time, and hinder you from living a regular life. For a depression assessment, symptoms must endure at least two weeks and show a change in your previous level of functioning.

An overview of depression during pregnancy

Depression can be induced by pregnancy. Your body goes through many alterations during pregnancy, and the pressures of the situation can lead to sadness in some females. However, not everyone who gets pregnant suffers from depression. If you have previously suffered depression, your symptoms may reappear, or if you had depression before getting pregnant, it may exacerbate. It is critical to discuss depression with your doctor throughout pregnancy since it may linger after delivery. Females who endure depression during pregnancy are also more likely to have postpartum depression (depression after the child is born).

Common signs of depression during pregnancy

Your body undergoes several changes throughout pregnancy. During your pregnancy, you may feel various emotions, some of which will propel you up and others of which will propel you down. It is also okay to have a range of emotions. However, if you have any of the following symptoms throughout your pregnancy, it might be depression, and you should see your specialist immediately. Symptoms of depression during pregnancy include:

1.     Feeling guilty, helpless, or unimportant.
2.     Having recurring suicidal or death thoughts.
3.     Problems thinking, concentrating, or making judgments.
4.     Lacking interest or enjoyment in most tasks during the day, nearly every day, for the previous two weeks.
5.     Having a depressed attitude for most of the day, nearly early day, for the previous two weeks.

Fortunately, depression is curable. Believing that one’s disease is “incurable” contributes to the despair that comes with depression. This is a sign of depression that will improve with therapy. It is difficult to decide how to manage depression during pregnancy. You must carefully consider the hazards and advantages of taking medication while pregnant. Work with your clinician to make an informed decision that will offer you — and your child — the best chance for long-term health. You should see a health care practitioner if you experience depression and are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Call Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates, LLC to schedule your meeting today to determine which depression therapy is ideal for you and your baby.