Depression And Anxiety During Pregnancy

When pregnant especially for the first time many women inform themselves on things they can do that are beneficial for the growth and development of their baby and things they should avoid or not do since it can be dangerous for their baby such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and especially being under stress during the first months. As we all know, being pregnant has a high percentage for a women to develop depression and anxiety, this may be due to some hormonal changes that every pregnant women suffers. It’s important to note that only a psychologist or a psychiatrist can diagnose if a pregnant women is suffering from depression due to certain criteria such as when the depressing feeling last more than two weeks, make it hard for the women to accomplish her activities during a normal day, and many other symptoms that affect directly the daily life of a pregnant women. However, most women are warned that being stressed can have serious consequences for the growth and development of their unborn children.

Various studies have been conducted to show the psychological effects following an abortion. According to the results some women experience depression and anxiety. These psychological effects reflect on several factors. Abortion may relieve stress by ending an unwanted pregnancy, but the event itself may simultaneously be experienced as a stressor causing anxiety grief, guilt, despair and anger. These factors could lead to depression, as feelings of powerless, anger and self-condemnation are emotions that underlie depression. Controversies exist whether abortion is linked with mental health or not. Future research requires a better understanding of the conditions that lead to unwanted pregnancy and abortion with the ultimate goal of improving women’s lives and well being.

Some studies purport higher rates of depression and suicide among women post-abortion. Post-abortive women were more likely to land in a higher risk category for depression, according to an analysis of the National Study of

Pregnancy is usually thought of as a taxing, yet rewarding and joyful time for an expectant mother. It takes a toll on not only a mother’s body, but also on her emotional well-being. A lack of appetite, energy, and strength are not uncommon among healthy mothers, and will not call for immediate attention from a physician. Although the psychological and physiological changes a woman goes through while pregnant can present themselves as depression-like symptoms, more often, they are the result of carrying a developing child. Despite the commonality of these symptoms it is important not to overlook these symptoms should they progress. Antenatal depression (depression that occurs while pregnant) and postpartum depression (depression that occurs

This journal article provides an overview of understanding the needs of women with postnatal depression. The author states the importance of early detection of postnatal depression. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends to assess the pregnant women during their first contact with healthcare professionals in primary care services and should be assessed again in the postnatal period, at around four to six weeks and at three to four months. The article also mentions the healthcare professionals should be able to differentiate between mild and severe forms of the condition and between clinical depression and normal adjustments to the change. Healthcare professionals need to remain alert to the different signs of indicating

Women are significantly more likely to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital within the first four weeks postpartum than any other time in her life; roughly 75 percent of women experience a mild depression, or the “baby blues” (Perry et al., 2013, p. 593). Postpartum mood disorders can include depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and in rare cases, psychosis (Perry et al., 2013, p. 593).  In this paper, the writers will focus solely on postpartum depression (PPD), also known as perinatal mood disorder.  Mothers will often experience sadness and mood swings (Perry et al., 2013, p. 594). Some more severe symptoms include intense fears, anger, anxiety, and despondency, which often will not go away without intervention (Perry et

Depression is a treatable condition, and there are treatment standards in place for pregnant women(Choate & Gintner, 2011). Currently, the treatment of antenatal depression consists of prescription medication and psychotherapy (Yonkers, Vigod, & Ross, 2011), and “alternative” treatments including vitamin or herbal supplements, acupuncture, exercise, or massage therapy (Deligiannidis & Freeman, 2013). Treating antenatal depression often poses a dilemma for both the specialist and the patient. For the specialist, the risk of prescribing medication has to equate with the risk of any potential iatrogenic harm to the fetus (Ververs, van Dijk, Yousofi, Schobben, & Visser, 2009). While there are guidelines in place for the prescribing of medications to a pregnant patient (Howland, 2009), not many obstetrical specialists feel confident in their own ability to treat a psychiatric illness (Hill, Greenberg, Holzman, & Schulkin, 2001).

Stress or perinatal loss will always cause a high level of anxiety, and stress will end in depression (Cote-Arsenault, 2007). If depression is not managed it easily leads to poor nutrition, insomnia and lack of exercise as well as substance abuse. Among other problems are poor neonatal outcomes, poor neuro-behavioral development for the fetus, and a high risk for postpartum depression (Suppaseemanont, 2006). When depression occurs, it can well endure for the reminder of the pregnancy and will result in extreme stress as well as multiple anxieties. All serious depression must be managed to prevent damaging effects to mother and fetus.

Post Natal Depression (PND) is prolonged symptom of depression in women lasting more than a week or two after giving birth; it impedes with the mother’s ability to cope and function on a daily basis with normal routines including caring for the new baby. PND is common and affects 7% to 20% of women immediately after child birth. According to Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia [PANDA] (2012),

A meta-analysis of depression rates during pregnancy concluded that prevalence rates were 7.4% of women during the first trimester, 12.8% during the second trimester, and 12.0% during the third trimester (1). Depression during pregnancy can lead to negative consequences for both the mother and the fetus. A case control study published by the Journal of Women’s Health showed that pregnant women diagnosed with depression were significantly more likely to experience preterm labor, cesarean delivery, anemia, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia when compared to pregnant women who did not suffer from depression. The study also showed fetal growth restriction, fetal developmental abnormalities, and death were outcomes more associated with women suffering from depression while pregnant. Furthermore, fetal malformations in depressed woman had an odds ratio of 2.75 when compared to women who were not depressed while pregnant

Acknowledging that the teenage years are known to produce emotional turmoil in adolescents, it is almost hard to imagine the added stress and emotion of pregnancy. This may be why there are thousands of pregnant teens who try to commit suicide every year. Although this statistic is shocking and appalling, the tendency to become depressed and the rollicoaster of emotions related to pregnancy are very real. Just as there are steps of physical change during pregnancy there are also almost as many psychological changes that women face.

The importance of providing support for women who have a history of miscarriage has increased in the last decade, not only during the following months after the loss, if not in their subsequent pregnancies. Consequently, it is increasingly recognized that having previous miscarriage can be related with psychological and mental health disorders in their next pregnancies (Lok I.H, 2007; Hutti, Armstrong & Myers, 2011). Also, it is well-documented that women who have a history of miscarriage show higher levels of anxiety and depression in their subsequent pregnancies (Cote-Arsenault, 2014; Bergner A, 2008; Cote-Arsenault, 2007; Armstrong DS, 2004; Amstrong, 2002; Cote-arsenault & Dombeck, 2001; Geller, Klier, & Neugebauer, 2001; Gong X, 2013).

Childbirth is considered to be a blessing and joyful event in most cultures. However, for many mothers, this is not the case. Mothers who experience unplanned pregnancies may be ill-prepared and ill-equipped to take on their new role as mothers and the associated responsibilites. Even when pregnancies are planned, women may lack the necessary social support needed after childbirth. Furthermore, many women may not have a full understanding of how this event will impact them physically, mentally, and emotionally. Nor are can they fathom how it will affect their roles, relationships, and responsibilities. As a result, mothers may experience mood disorders ranging from the “baby blues” to postpartum depression.

Description: Description: Many pregnant women experience depression during or after pregnancy. This depression can be harmful for the mother as well as the child and thus needs instant treatment for the same.

Adolescent mother has to suffer from several stressful conditions like poor financial condition, social isolation, and physical exhaustion due to increased workload after the birth of a baby. The feeling of neglect from the family, society and peer group has a negative effect on the mother and infant and causing hindrance in the social, emotional and cognitive development of both mother and the child (LePlatte, Rosenblum, Stanton, Miller, & Muzik, 2012). It also has put tremendous pressure on the mother causing them to have symptoms like feeling anxious, shameful and guilty, low mood, not able to care for themselves and the baby and also physical symptoms like weight loss and fatigue (Panda, 2010). This type of signs and symptoms are symptom of depression often termed as post natal depression. If this post natal depression is not treated in time it can lead to mental illness in adulthood.So, post natal depression is the main problem almost every adolescent mother faces today. It is estimated that 48 percentage of adolescent mother suffers from post natal depression today (Birkeland, Thompson, & Phares, 2005).