Thursday, March 28, 2024

How To Deal With Anxiety And Depression While Pregnant

What Factors Increase My Risk Of Being Depressed During Pregnancy

Depression During Pregnancy & How To Deal

There are many different factors that can add to your risk of developing depression during your pregnancy. These risks can include:

  • Having a history of depression or premenstrual dysphoric disorder .
  • Your age at time of your pregnancy the younger you are, the higher the risk.
  • Living alone.
  • Feeling ambivalent about your pregnancy.

How Do I Know Whether I Have Antenatal Anxiety

You may have antenatal anxiety if you:

  • feel worried, stressed or on edge most of the time
  • have recurring thoughts that wont go away
  • have panic attacks
  • have muscles that are tense
  • find it hard to stay calm
  • are having trouble sleeping

These symptoms can develop gradually, or you may experience them suddenly and intensely. They can get worse over time if theyre not treated.

Anxiety is when feelings of being anxious and stressed don’t go away, can’t be controlled easily, and happen for no particular reason.

What Are The Symptoms Of Antenatal Depression

“Pregnancy is meant to be such a happy time but because we dont talk about mental health in pregnancy women dont know that it can be a very different story.”

Typical signs of depression include if you:

  • feel generally down most of the time
  • cant be bothered with things
  • cant concentrate or make decisions
  • dont enjoy life
  • feel irritable and dont want to be with other people
  • feel restless and agitated
  • feel guilty
  • think about harming yourself or suicide.

You may not have all these symptoms and they may come on gradually or you may suddenly start to feel very low.

If you feel like you want to harm yourself or feel like you want to die, its important to tell someone. This could be a family member, friend, your GP or midwife. Help is available now if you need it. You can call the Samaritans on 116 123.

“I wasnt sleeping well and Id wake up with that horrible feeling of doom starting every day. Id cry at the drop of a hat about things that wouldnt normally make me cry.”

Recommended Reading: Can You Cure Depression On Your Own

If Im Depressed Will It Affect My Children

Depression is treatable. But if it is not treated, it will affect your children.

Moms who are depressed may have trouble caring for their children. They may be loving one minute and withdrawn the next. They may respond to their child in a negative way or not respond at all. Your feelings and your behaviour will affect your ability to care for your children.

Depression can also affect attachment, which is important for your childs development. Attachment is a deep emotional bond that a baby forms with the person who provides most of his care. A secure attachment develops quite naturally. A mother responds to her crying infant, offering whatever she feels her baby needsfeeding, a diaper change, cuddling. Secure attachment helps protect against stress and is an important part of a babys long-term emotional health. It makes a baby feel safe and secure, and helps him learn to trust others.

If youre depressed, you may have trouble being loving and caring with your baby all the time. This can lead to an insecure attachment, which can cause problems later in childhood.

How a mothers depression affects her child depends on the childs age.

Babies who dont develop a secure attachment may:

  • have trouble interacting with their mother ,
  • have problems sleeping,
  • may be delayed in their development,
  • have more colic,

How To Handle Depression While Pregnant

DEALING WITH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY WHILE PREGNANT

It can be difficult to reach out for help, but its crucial that you address your symptoms of depression since being depressed can lead to reductions in prenatal care. The first step is to talk with your physician, midwife, or therapist. You can address your symptoms through ongoing therapy and possibly through medication. There are medications that are safe to take while pregnant which can treat your symptoms, and your physician or midwife can talk to you about this option.

In addition to seeking out medical attention, changing some of your daily habits and including some new practices can help. Though depression can impact the way you sleep and your diet, its important to get as much rest as possible and nourish your body with healthy foods. Both will give you more energy, which can improve your mood.

Getting enough physical activity each day can also help. That doesnt mean you have to do anything strenuous. A walk around your neighborhood is a great way to get your blood pumping. Exercise and being out in nature are both natural mood-boosters. For an even greater benefit, take that walk with a friend, family member, or your partner. Feeling supported and understood can make a big difference in your attitude and outlook.

If youre pregnant and dealing with depression, feel free to contact me. Together, we can work on even more strategies to combat those feelings so you can enjoy this unique stage of life.

Also Check: Can I Overcome Depression Without Medication

Stress And Preterm Birth

More than 80 scientific investigations on stress and PTB were recently reviewed by Dunkel Schetter and Glynn , of which a majority had prospective designs, large samples, and validated measures, and were fairly well controlled for confounds such as medical risks, smoking, education, income, and parity. These studies can be grouped by the type of stress examined. Of the more than a dozen published studies assessing `major life events in pregnancy’, a majority found significant effects women who experienced major life events such as the death of a family member were at 1.4 to 1.8 times greater risk of PTB, with strongest effects when events occurred early in pregnancy. The majority of a second, smaller group of studies on catastrophic, community-wide disasters also showed significant effects on gestational age at birth or PTB. A third small set of studies on chronic stressors, such as household strain or homelessness, all reported significant effects on PTB. Finally, a majority of past investigations on neighborhood stressors such as poverty and crime indicated significant effects on gestational age or PTB. In comparison, studies on daily hassles and perceived stress did not consistently predict PTB. Thus, of the many distinguishable forms of stress, many contribute to the risk of PTB.

I Literally Thought That You Got Pregnant Cried From Happiness Felt Super Cute In Floral Dresses & A Glowing Complexion & Then You Popped Out The Baby Naive Yes

Let me tell you how it really is .

My BF & I got engaged on Christmas eve in Miami. Life complete. Literally everything Ive ever dreamed of. And the ring, oh boy did he do good. It was just perfect. I thought I couldnt be happier.

Wedding set for 2022 & in the meantime we wanted to try for a baby. Perfect I thought, I dont want to be breastfeeding during my wedding, & the baby will be old enough for a sitter on MY, oh sorry OUR SPECIAL DAY.

I went one month just tracking my ovulation the old fashion way, counted to around 12-14 days after the first day of my last period. I started taking pregnancy tests like four days before my period & really thought I was pregnant. And I cried a little when the familiar cramps & bloating came, finished off by a little blood on my toilet paper one morning.

We started to try for a baby a bit harder & bought an ovulation test. Turns out my ovulation was on day 8, not 12.

Then BAM, I was pregnant.

Took 10080 pregnancy tests & there was no doubt. I got pregnant on our first real try. How could it happen so fast?

We were ecstatic. My boyfriend kissed me, & I could tell he was very happy. I was too.

For about 24 hours. Then my hormones kicked in. It started with us going to a dinner with friends where I happily drank my nonalcoholic ginger beer. Until it was time to leave. My BF then had the audacity to want to go meet up with a couple of his friends.

Everything I loved to do, I couldnt.

My dear boyfriend tried as best he could.

Recommended Reading: Xanax As Needed For Depression

Natural Remedies For Anxiety While Pregnant That Actually Work

From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I was anxious about everything. In those early weeks, it felt exhausting worrying about my baby in between appointments, desperate to hear the reassuring sound of her little heartbeat. I looked desperately for natural remedies for anxiety while pregnant, that would ease my mind.

While anxiety can look a little different for everyone, if you are constantly worrying, your mind is racing, or you are struggling to eat or sleep normally, anxiety might be to blame. Here are some of the most helpful ways to deal with anxiety during pregnancy.

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Treating Pregnancy Symptoms : How to Cope With Depression & Stress While Pregnant

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a simple checklist that asks about your mental health. It can indicate whether youre experiencing symptoms that are common with depression and anxiety, and help you recognise when you need to seek support.

Find out more about the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale from Beyond Blue.

Recommended Reading: All Natural Supplements For Anxiety And Depression

Alternative Therapies Corresponding Treatments As Well As Electroconvulsive Therapy

As an example, some people who are depressed may reveal it by acting disgruntled, resentful, or irritable. Actually, hostility consisting of straight-out acts of physical violence can be a measure of surprise depression, according to a February 28, 2017, record in Psychiatric Times. Depression masquerading what helps depression during pregnancy as temper might seem unexpected in the beginning, however not when you take into consideration that numerous underlying variables, consisting of alcohol or drug abuse as well as youth trauma, have been connected to both.

Relative likewise require education and learning concerning the nature of depression and also might take advantage of encouraging communications. Involving family members can be a crucial element of a therapy plan, especially for pediatric and also late-onset depression. Relative are handy informants what helps depression during pregnancy, can guarantee drug conformity, as well as can urge patients to change habits that bolster depression. In older individuals, depression is frequently comorbid with chronic medical problems as well as can bring about worsening medical end results, including mortality.

What’s The Difference Between Antenatal Depression And Other Conditions

You might hear the terms antenatal, postnatal and perinatal depression and wonder what the difference is between them. Antenatal depression refers to depression that starts during pregnancy, while postnatal depression develops between 1 month to a year after birth.

As depression can occur anytime around pregnancy, you may also hear the term perinatal depression used to describe depression that happens before, during or after pregnancy and childbirth.

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Fill Your Mind With Truth

Ultimately, much of anxiety is caused by lies that our minds believe. When we are intentional about filling our minds with truth, it leaves less room for these lies to sneak in! Here are a few easy ways to keep truth at the forefront of your mind.

Music

Put together a playlist of songs that fill your heart with hope. Worship music or songs focused on empowerment are a great place to start! If you dont have the energy to create a playlist for yourself, try this one!

Sticky Notes

Use sticky notes to fill your home with truth. Write down some Bible verses or truth declarations that encourage your heart and put them around your house or car in places you will see them often . You could also change the background on your phone to a verse or declaration.

Meditation

Spend time sitting, breathing deeply, and paying attention to your thoughts. When your mind starts filling with anxious or worried thoughts, choose a Bible verse or quote to replace the negative thoughts.

If you want meditations that are created for pregnancy, you need to try out Expectful! They give you a free 7-day trial which is so worth it.

If anxiety is creeping in and you dont have time or a place to sit in quiet, at least take a few deep breaths!

Read a book

There are endless options for books that can help you in the battle with anxiety, but these are a few that Ive found to be really helpful.

What Are My Options If Im Depressed During Pregnancy

3 Natural Treatments for Depression While Pregnant

If you are experiencing depression during your pregnancy, there are steps you can take to help improve how youre feeling. Preparing for a new baby is a lot of hard work, but remember that your health is important and needs to come first. There are a few things you can do to help with depression during pregnancy, including:

  • Resisting the urge to get everything done. Cut down on your chores and do things that will help you relax. And remember, taking care of yourself is an essential part of taking care of your unborn child.
  • Talking about your concerns. Talk to your friends, your partner and your family. If you ask for support, youll find that you often get it.

If you are not finding relief from anxiety and depression by making these changes, seek your healthcare providers advice or a referral to a mental health professional.

Also Check: How To Fight Depression As A Christian

How Can You Manage Anxiety During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting time. You will soon become a parent to an adorable, tiny human. You may expect to experience the rollercoaster of emotions during pregnancy, or emotions may catch you off guard. Some women feel joy at every flutter or kick, marveling at their changing bodies. For other women, pregnancy is hard, giving no reprieve as it brings severe fatigue, mood changes, and constant worries. You may notice that with every passing month, your thoughts are spiraling out of control, affecting your performance at work and your relationships at home. But how do you manage your anxiety, and should you treat it?

Anxiety And Depression During Pregnancy And How To Cope

When youre expecting a child, its normal for parents to expect some anxiety. Feeling anxious is our body and minds way of preparing us for a stressful event and having a baby comes with a lot of changes, which are inevitably stressful. In some cases, however, anxiety can become more severe and affect an expecting mothers ability to function normally. In these cases, its important to recognize what it is, why its happening, and what you can do about it.

Prenatal anxiety and depression are otherwise identical to regular anxiety and depression, except it occurs during pregnancy. Its important to recognize any symptoms because they can be warning signs of postpartum depression.

Symptoms of prenatal anxiety and depression:

  • Racing thoughts
  • Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or guilt
  • Loss of interest in activities one would usually enjoy

Recommended Reading: Major Depressive Disorder Medication List

Is It Baby Blues Or Depression

Four hundred and also seventy short articles were originally acquired from the keyword Depressive conditions in maternity, and the search results page were limited to one hundred and also thirteen articles utilizing the key phrase postpartum depression how to deal with it trimesters. All the write-ups were considered regardless of language as well as their citation standing as of the moment of query which is 14th February 2019. Handling an enjoyed one who is experiencing antepartum depression likewise can be a difficulty.

Depression Info And Also Sources

My Story: Depression and Anxiety while pregnant

Once youve experienced a depressive episode, you might be better prepared to avoid a future episode by discovering which way of living changes as well as therapies are practical. Its not unusual for a person with OCD to also have depression. Having one stress and anxiety problem can enhance your odds for having another what helps depression during pregnancy. Up to 80 percent of people with OCD also have major depression episodes. Feeling bewildered can aggravate stress and anxiety and also depression signs. Establishing borders in your specialist and also individual life can assist you really feel much better.

The symptoms typically do not entirely interrupt ones regular tasks. Negative effects, including dizziness, a rise in blood pressure, and feelings of detachment or interference from reality may arise. Research studies have just adhered to patients for one year, which implies physicians do not yet know exactly what helps depression during pregnancy how it might influence patients over longer time periods. Others worry that given that ketamine is often abused, there may be a disadvantage to making it quicker offered it might increase the probability that it will end up in the wrong hands. I suffered from persistent discomfort as well as depression for 18 years from a. cervical combination.

Read Also: Homeopathy For Anxiety And Depression

How Is Depression Treated During Pregnancy

Its best if a team of providers treats your depression during pregnancy. These providers can work together to make sure you and your baby get the best care. Your providers may be:

  • Your prenatal care provider. This is the provider who gives you medical care during pregnancy.
  • Your primary care provider. This is your main health care provider who gives you general medical care.
  • A mental health provider. This may be a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor or a therapist.
  • Your babys health care provider

Depression can be treated in several ways. You and your providers may decide to use a combination of treatments instead of just one. Treatment can include:

  • Counseling, like CBT and IPT
  • Support groups. These are groups of people who meet together or go online to share their feelings and experiences about certain topics. Ask your provider or counselor to help you find a support group.
  • Medicine. Depression often is treated with medicines called antidepressants. You need a prescription from your provider for these medicines. You may be on one medicine or a combination of medicines. Dont start or stop taking any medicine for PPD without your providers OK.
  • Electroconvulsive therapy . In this treatment, electric current is passed through the brain. This treatment is considered safe to use during pregnancy. Providers may recommend ECT to treat severe depression.

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