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Pregnancy Depression Are Often Ignored
Depression during pregnancy is very common among women and often ignored by doctors. Studies have shown that one in five pregnant women shows signs of depression during pregnancy, but only about 10% of these women are getting treatment for their depression.
Medical studies have shown depressed women have a much higher risk giving birth to premies and that babies delivered by women with depressions have below average birth weights. In addition pregnant women who experienced pregnancy depressions are also at a higher risk for postpartum depressions. Children delivered by women with pregnancy depressions can suffer from behavioral problems and delayed cognitive and language development.
Depression during pregnancy can be caused by several things. Hormones are often to blame, but there are also some other factors that can affect a woman's mood and overall well-being during pregnancy. Some other factors can be:
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a personal history of depression
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an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy
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marital or financial problems
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significant life changes (death of relative or friend, change of employment, loss of employment)
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a previous pregnancy loss
It is important to recognize pregnancy depression. Mood swings can make a pregnant woman feel sad at times, but it is not the same as depression. Some of the most common signs of pregnancy depression are:- trouble concentrating
- extreme anxiety
- sleeping problems
- fatigue
- change in eating habits
- exaggerated mood swings
- constant sadness
- thoughts of hurting yourself or others
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April 4, 2006, 2:10 pm
is it any harm to the babi if the mother is deprssing?First time mom speaking