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Pregnancy and depression - treating pregnant women

It is estimated that as many as many as a fifth of all women who fall pregnant may end up suffering from pre and post Pregnancy Depression. Depression during pregnancy is typically caused by hormonal fluctuations which result in changes in brain chemical levels and ratios. Other factors such as stress, fertility treatment and a history of depression may however also trigger the onset of a depressive episode.

For most women, pregnancy is meant to be one of the happiest times of their lives. When the joy that is meant to follow conception is replaced instead by feelings of utter despair and dread, it can be both disparaging and confusing. This may be worsened by difficult circumstances which may prevail during pregnancy, as is often the case with very young mothers and unplanned pregnancies.

Signs of depression during pregnancy often go unnoticed due to the fact that they are put down to being normal emotional and bodily reactions to hormone fluctuations. Symptoms may also vary from one woman to the next. In general however, any of the following symptoms which are experienced for 2 weeks or longer at any stage during pregnancy may be an indication of depression:

•  Regularly oversleeping or experiencing insomnia.

•  Trouble remaining focused or making any kind of decision.

•  Heightened feelings of sadness or anger.

•  Loss of interest in pleasurable activities.

•  Feeling anxious, unsettled or incredibly stressed.

•  Doubting one's own self worth and significance.

•  A change in weight or eating habits which far exceeds that which normally occurs during pregnancy.

•  Thoughts of suicide, death and desperation

If left undiagnosed and untreated, depression during pregnancy may be harmful to both expectant mothers and their unborn babies. Mothers may be drawn to alcohol and antidepressant drugs to provide temporary relief from symptoms. These can be detrimental to the normal development of a baby and may increase the risk of both premature birth and problems during labour. In addition depression may also worsen after the birth of the baby and certain cases even result in postpartum depression.

Treatment options for depression during pregnancy include things such as psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, group counselling, and medication. Many women also find that alternative therapies such as hypnotherapy, reiki, acupuncture assist in alleviating symptoms. In addition, many also turn to homeopathy and herbal alternatives which in some cases can be just as effective in the treatment of depression as ordinary medication.

Due to the complex chemical changes that are constantly occurring within a woman's body during pregnancy, medical experts are often reluctant to prescribe heavy medication to treat the disorder. This is primarily due to the detrimental effects that drugs may have on the developing foetus. In extreme cases however, the damage that may be caused by not prescribing medication may very well outweigh any possible harm resulting from the drugs and women will be advised to continue taking anti-depressant drugs throughout their pregnancy, and possibly also for a couple of months following birth.

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