What Is Antenatal Depression? A Breakdown of Depression During Pregnancy

Your period is a couple of days late so you decide to take a test. After waiting a few minutes, you turn the test over and there are two prominent lines—you’re pregnant. You feel over the moon and rush to break the news to your partner. Then come all the emotions that you are faced with - fear, anxiety, worry as you are unsure of what to expect during and after your pregnancy.

This rush of emotions is a common part of pregnancy and something that many pregnant women experience. But if you’re experiencing ongoing and extreme depression that isn’t going away, you likely have antenatal depression. 

In this article, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about antenatal depression. Let’s get into it.

What is Antenatal Depression?

Many women go through a whirlwind of emotions during pregnancy, fluctuating from happy to sad, excited to nervous—and it’s no wonder considering the drastic change in women’s hormones. That’s why it comes as no surprise that antenatal depression is one of the most common issues pregnant women face. But what exactly is it?

Antenatal depression, also referred to as prenatal depression, is a mood disorder with symptoms ranging from mild to severe that occurs during pregnancy. It can develop at any point during pregnancy and is not to be mistaken for the “baby blues”.

Pregnant women with antenatal depression may find themselves withdrawing from family and friends, losing interest in activities they generally enjoy, and experiencing ongoing sadness, anxiety, fatigue, and trouble sleeping.

Who is Prone to Developing Antenatal Depression?

Anyone can develop antenatal depression regardless of age, race, income, or education. However, you’re more likely to get if you, or your family, have a history of the following;

• Mental illness, such as bipolar or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

• Anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or social anxiety disorder.

• Mood disorders, such as depression.

This disorder is most common in pregnant women who are carrying a child with a health disorder/special needs or expecting twins, dealing with heightened stress, have an unplanned pregnancy, had trouble with fertility, and those who don’t have a strong support network or supportive partner.

While antenatal depression doesn’t have one singular cause, there are some genetic and environmental factors that can contribute to the disorder, including;

• Life stressors, including working a demanding job, going through a divorce, or have experienced past trauma.

• The physical and emotional demands of childbirth.

• Changes in hormones during pregnancy.

  
  

The Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of antenatal depression can be hard to spot, however it is not impossible. We’ve listed some of the most common symptoms below;

• Persistent feelings of sadness and anxiety for most of the day, nearly every day for two weeks.

• Feeling hopeless, pessimistic, irritable, frustrated, and restless.

• Loss of interest in hobbies.

• Fatigue and a decrease in energy levels.

• Changes in your appetite or unexpected weight fluctuations.

• Troubles focusing, remembering, or making decisions.

• Trouble forming an emotional connection with your baby.

How You Can Treat Antenatal Depression

Experiencing any of these symptoms for a prolonged period of time could pose a serious threat not only to an expecting mother’s mental health but also to the baby if left untreated. So, how exactly can you treat antenatal depression?

Reaching out to your healthcare provider is a crucial first step to getting the support you need. Your primary care doctor can refer you to a mental health professional who has the requisite mental health masters online and can help treat antenatal depression with a combination of therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy) and medication.

Alongside seeking help from qualified professionals like doctors and mental health workers, there are a number of things you can do every day to help manage and treat antenatal depression.

Keep Active

Incorporating physical activity into your day is essential for everyone, even more so if you are pregnant. Many expectant mothers have the misconception that keeping active might harm the baby, after all it’s something a lot of us have heard thrown around throughout our lives. However, remaining active can help with a smooth labor and delivery, along with helping decrease the likelihood of developing a range of health conditions while pregnant, such as gestational diabetes, preenclampsia, preterm birth, and more.

Adopt a Healthy Diet

The importance of your health during this time of your life cannot be stressed enough. That’s why you need to make it a priority, starting with your diet. It’s important to maintain a healthy diet, one that’s full of protein, fibre, healthy fat, and folic acid to support your baby’s brain growth and development. Not only do you need to eat food that fuels your body, you should also ensure you’re taking your prenatal vitamins.

Create a Support Network

We all have different ways of coping with our everyday struggles and challenges. For some of us, immersing ourselves in a hobby is the way to go forward, for others it’s open up to someone about what we’re going through, or you could be someone who withdraws and tries to deal with it silently.

With antenatal depression, it’s incredibly important to ensure you create a network of support. Whether it’s connecting with a group of mothers or other expectant parents in your local area or leaning on your family and friends, having people you can lean on and go to in times of hardship is important for gaining some perspective, improving your mood, and ensuring you have support when you need it most.

Taking the Steps to Get Support for Antenatal Depression

Even though antenatal depression is one of the most common issues pregnant women face, there’s still a long way to go in understanding the severity of this condition and the importance of recognizing the signs and seeking the support needed to overcome it. After all, it can have serious health implications if the symptoms are left unattended.

If you or anyone you know is currently pregnant and suffering from antenatal depression, it’s crucial to take the necessary steps to reach out to qualified health professionals, like your primary care doctor, to start taking the necessary steps to overcoming it.