You always dreamed of becoming a mother, tried for a long time to get pregnant, and finally succeeded. But suddenly, at what should be the happiest time of your life, the long-awaited pregnancy happens and you are struck by an endless sadness. This happens without any reason and without explanation.
If you are experiencing very deep sadness, it may be essential to seek psychological support. That’s why I recommend looking for a psychologist with experience in caring for pregnant women. Learn about Famivita’s psychology service and enjoy a free initial assessment session. Click here for more information!
Is Sadness a Symptom of Pregnancy?
What is happening? Usually, this sadness arises with the onset of pregnancy symptoms, because women often imagine they will have a perfect pregnancy—without nausea or discomfort—but when symptoms and discomforts do appear, they realize that pregnancy isn’t just wonderful as they dreamed.
Fatigue, tiredness, and discomfort caused by pregnancy—not to mention all the recommended precautions, dietary care, and restrictions—can also leave the expectant mother feeling sad during this phase. Pregnant women may be swept up by a sadness without reason1. Other causes include constant worries about the baby’s health, what childbirth will be like, dramatic changes in the body and many other reasons. Anything that causes concern for the mother can result in a state of pure sadness, and this is natural—because a woman is experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and hormones working overtime.
The Best Remedy for Sadness
The best remedy to ward off this sadness is to share your fears, talk a lot, clear up your doubts, and do not keep worries to yourself, as that will only increase your sadness during pregnancy.
Go out more, have fun, plan cheerful activities, invite friends and family to enjoy fun programs at home, even if you’re not feeling up to going out. What you should not do is let this sadness during pregnancy take over and evolve into depression.
How to Diagnose Depression During Pregnancy
Depression during pregnancy2 is caused by a wave of sadness that simply doesn’t go away, and when the woman gives in to the situation, it comes on without warning and takes control.
It shows itself through clear signs of anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, great lack of motivation, and deep sadness, making the pregnant woman not want to do anything at all. It is often related to the increase in the hormones progesterone and estrogen3.
However, according to studies, 95% of women who suffer from depression during pregnancy are going through family or financial issues, and sometimes health problems that cause a lot of worry.
Explanatory Video
If you have been experiencing this for more than two weeks, talk to your obstetrician—he or she may recommend medication to help manage depression without affecting the baby’s development.
Try to talk as much as possible with your friends, partner, and family; don’t overwhelm yourself, and don’t be too hard on yourself. This is a challenging time for all women. Try to go through this phase of pregnancy as calmly as possible, keep your mind occupied, try to feel useful, and live as normal a life as possible—of course, in moderation.
This will not only benefit your health but also your mind and your relationship with your family, who will get to enjoy all nine months of the pregnancy together, savoring every moment.
