Understanding Depression During Pregnancy - What Should I Do If I Have Depression During Pregnancy?

What are the signs of pregnancy depression and what can I do to prevent and reduce the severity of the condition?

Many mothers go through a journey of pregnancy that is not easy. Depression in pregnancy is one of the risks many mothers face during pregnancy.

However, pregnancy depression is often underestimated and its severity should be promptly treated. Please read the article below!

What is depression and depression during pregnancy affect mother and baby like?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the most common disease worldwide, ranking second in the global burden of disease, only after coronary artery disease.

Depression is a psychiatric disease, when depressed, brain activity is disturbed by a certain psychological factor, creating abnormal changes in behavioral thinking or behavior.

The incidence of depression in women is higher than in men. Pregnant women and young children are at high risk of depression.

Causes of depression in pregnancy are determined by hormonal changes, genetic factors, stress, pregnancy pressure, fetal problems or too young pregnancy. Psychological preparation to be a mother.

In addition, subjects at high risk of depression are pregnant mothers who have had psychological trauma in the past. Financial factors are also one of the causes of anxiety and stress leading to depression in pregnant women.

Signs of depression during pregnancy

Because the signs of the disease are easily confused with pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, depression, appetite, insomnia ..., pregnancy depression is not easily detected and recognized in time.

Therefore, many people, even though they have the disease, do not know it, making the treatment more difficult and complicated.

Some common signs of pregnancy depression include:

Mom has sleep problems

Sleep disturbance is the most common sign of depression during pregnancy. If depressed, the mother may lose sleep or sleep more than usual. There are mothers who suffer from sleeplessness that constantly affects their health.

Even though she has set up a reasonable sleeping environment (the bedroom is well ventilated, with the right temperature and lighting), she still cannot sleep. Many other mothers, although they have slept enough hours a day, still crave sleep and want to sleep more.

Sleep a lot or lose sleep makes mothers lethargic, tired, and not have much energy for other activities during the day.

Prolonged insomnia or sleeping too much has immeasurable consequences on the quality of life and health of both mother and baby.

The feeling of fatigue is always constant

Many studies have long confirmed that mental and physical health is closely related. When the mother is stressed during pregnancy, her body is also negatively affected.

The feeling that mothers often see will be drowsiness, lack of energy, lack of vitality and always tired for unknown reasons. Fatigue is often more severe in the morning after waking up.

Body weight changes

When pregnant with depression, pregnant women can lose their appetite, they do not want to eat and lose weight. A few mothers always have cravings, constantly hungry, eat more than usual, leading to weight gain.

You need to regularly monitor your weight so that when you lose or gain more than 5% of your body weight within a month, you should pay attention because this is most likely a sign of depression in pregnancy.

Moodiness, irritability or emotional change

Depression directly affects the mood of pregnant mothers. If even women find themselves in a constant state of instability, anxiety, irritability , depression or frustration, be careful because it can be a sign of depression during pregnancy.

Unfocused

Anxiety and depression make you always want to separate yourself from society to have a space and focus on solving your own problems.

However, if a woman thinks in a stressful state, her thinking will be limited, because the brain cannot focus on helping the pregnant mother think everything.

In addition, some symptoms of depression during pregnancy include increased heart rate, fainting, sweating, difficulty breathing, feeling like heart failure; hyperactivity or slow stimulation.

Some suggestions to help pregnant mothers when signs of depression

When you have identified and correctly identified your pregnancy depression, do not worry or think too much because it only makes your condition worse. Mother please refer to the following ways to improve mental and physical health, to help reduce the harmful effects of this syndrome:

Relax

Pregnant women are advised to regularly listen, read or watch pure, positive and beautiful things. Try listening to classical music every morning or drinking a cup of jasmine tea when stressed.

Massage is a method that doctors advise pregnant mothers to implement to repel depression during pregnancy. Appropriate massage therapy will help the mother's body rest, relax, and at the same time enhance the activity of the hormone oxytocin to help the spirit feel more comfortable and repel depression during pregnancy.

If you cannot afford to go to a spa or professional facility, a mother can massage herself at home by soaking her feet in warm water, gently massage with a relative or using an essential oil burner. can effectively relax.

Do exercises for pregnant women

Exercise can increase serotonin levels and decrease cortisol, which is beneficial for pregnant women with depression. Exercise also helps the body to excrete sweat and other toxins through the skin, improving mother's health.

However, mothers should also note that they should only practice subjects that are not too suitable for pregnancy. Some suggestions for moms are yoga , breathing classes, home meditation or gentle walking.

Take time for your body to rest properly and properly

The quality of sleep has a lot to do with the ability to handle stress in daily life. Mothers with sleep disorders should establish a regular and serious schedule to follow throughout their pregnancy.

For moms who have trouble sleeping, try a gentle massage, soak your feet with warm water, and play relaxing music to easily fall asleep. A pillow for pregnant women is also a great suggestion for mothers to have the best and most comfortable sleep.

Diet and nutrition

Science has proven that many foods have the ability to improve mood and mood. Even before, during and after pregnancy, mothers should also develop a healthy diet; remove caffeine, sugar, processed carbohydrates that are abundant in fast foods, fried foods, etc.

Add healthy foods to your daily menu, eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and drink lots of fluids to improve your mental and physical health.

Foods with mood-enhancing effects that many experts recommend include pumpkin seeds, carrots, celery, fish, whole grains, kiwi, tea and especially dark chocolate.

Research shows that eating a small amount of dark chocolate helps dispel depression during pregnancy and also has the ability to prevent pre-eclampsia.

Don't tolerate depression alone

In the case of signs of depression during pregnancy, mothers should seek medical advice, diagnosis and support to treat promptly.

If you don't feel comfortable talking to your doctor, seek help from your husband, parents, or relatives. The important thing is never to be alone. Both mother and daughter need help from everyone.

The closest person a mother can share about her depression symptoms is the husband - the father of the baby in the womb. Don't be afraid to talk to your husband about your situation so that he can work with you to find a solution.

Pregnancy is a time when pregnant mothers are quite sensitive and easy to feel sorry for themselves, so relatives, especially husbands, always stay by their side, encourage and share so that the pregnant mother does not feel abandoned.

Do not worry too much when the mother unfortunately has the signs of depression during pregnancy above. Try to keep your schedule in moderation, think positive things, and be mentally and physically ready to welcome your baby.

See more:

The signs of postpartum depression women must know to protect themselves

7 myths about postpartum depression everyone has ever had

How to control emotions during pregnancy helps mothers prevent depression during pregnancy