Pregnancy is such a dreamed-of and highly anticipated moment for most women, but when they receive the news of the long-awaited arrival of their baby, where is the joy? Unexpectedly, a sadness takes over your body, your thoughts, and the dream becomes a nightmare, and depression during pregnancy shows its face.

What Is Depression During Pregnancy

Depression during pregnancy is a psychological disorder that occurs during the gestational period for various reasons, such as daily stress, fears, insecurity, hormonal changes, and even personal issues.In the past, people believed that being pregnant meant being immune to psychological problems, but unfortunately this is not true. In fact, at this stage in life, women are even more sensitive, going through millions of changes in their bodies and their hormone levels resembling a roller coaster, which makes women more exposed to these types of disorders.And especially nowadays, with women having even busier lives than in the past, they work outside the home and take on exhausting work hours and are still responsible for taking care of the house and children.

Symptoms of Depression During Pregnancy

Mood swings during pregnancy are inevitable due to the significant change in hormone production at this stage, but if these fluctuations last for many weeks, a specialist should be sought to evaluate the situation. During a depressive episode in pregnancy, it is common for women to experience the following symptoms:

  • Extreme anxiety
  • Sadness without reason
  • Insomnia
  • Crying for no apparent reason
  • Suicidal thoughts

There may also be changes in diet, causing the pregnant woman not to eat adequately, affecting even the development of the fetus. Feelings of guilt about everything around her are also very common, especially regarding the baby’s birth. In some cases, the obstetrician may recommend the mother take time off work, as absolute discouragement and fatigue can disrupt her daily routine, lowering her productivity and causing even more frustration.Many cases of depression during pregnancy are related to a problematic or high-risk pregnancy, which can further affect the woman’s psychological well-being, causing and developing this disorder at this time. If not treated properly, besides harming fetal development and increasing the risk of premature birth, it can even extend after the baby’s birth, leading to postpartum depression.

How to Treat Depression During Pregnancy

The best treatment for depression at any stage of life is support from family and friends and those we love, but medical follow-up is also essential. Psychological support and psychotherapy sessions can powerfully help at this stage by increasing self-confidence, overcoming fears, and helping women reconnect with their true reality.Well-recommended and popular alternatives are acupuncture and physical activities such as yoga, which can calm the mind and body. Along with a good diet and a calm life—only in extremely serious cases will antidepressants be indicated.Many families simply ignore the fact that the pregnant woman feels down, consider it a whim, or think she is seeking attention. But the situation is more serious than it seems, and close friends and family play a fundamental role in providing help at this time.How do you explain to the world what you’re feeling when you don’t even understand it yourself? That’s the feeling that invades the soul, so overwhelming that there is no desire to do anything, let alone enjoy a moment that should be so happy.

Family Support

Family support during a period of depression in pregnancy is fundamental for a woman to feel protected, well cared for, and welcomed during this moment of total sensitivity. Love, care, and support, as well as keeping judgment at bay, help with treatment and lead to quicker recovery.The use of antidepressants during pregnancy brings risks to the baby’s development, but if necessary, a specialist will assess the situation and weigh the risks and benefits to ensure ongoing monitoring.Sometimes the woman just needs time for herself, to sort out her thoughts, to have the peace to think and act regarding everything she is experiencing. Take a deep breath, try to overcome negative thoughts, and enjoy the moment. Resolve things calmly and try to do activities that make you feel good—it’s just a phase.Pregnancy is a time of transition and complete transformation for a woman. It is the time to prepare to take on one of the biggest responsibilities of your life, and she only has nine months to do it. How can you not worry about tomorrow? How can the mind not race at full speed?During these non-stop thoughts, some women feel overwhelmed—and that’s where family comes in. Love is the best medicine for the soul at any stage of our lives, so a loving embrace for a pregnant woman suffering from depression may be exactly what she needs right now.See also: Postpartum Depression – Celebrities Who Suffered From This ConditionPhoto: Anna, Stuart Hamilton