Prenatal depression is one of the reasons why a pregnant woman is unwell. And it would seem that can overshadow such a magical time for any woman? I am sure that each of the expectant mothers will find an excuse, without having to understand the real causes of this unpleasant phenomenon. And yet, where does depression come from during pregnancy and how does it manifest?
General characteristics of the condition
There is a misconception that depression in pregnant women occurs only immediately before childbirth. But this is not so. She can accompany a woman throughout pregnancy, and each stage of bearing a child has its own characteristics.
Some symptoms of spleen are associated only with hormonal changes in the body of a woman, and therefore they are considered as a temporary and passing phenomenon, while others may have a more complex nature. Therefore, depression during pregnancy is treated differently depending on the period of gestation.
First trimester
Psychologists refer to this period of pregnancy as the "period of denial." It is especially characteristic of women who do not have an unpleasant symptom - toxicosis. The period of denial is characterized by a woman’s reluctance to take into account her interesting position and change her everyday lifestyle.
Emotional background of a woman in the first trimester of pregnancy
Changes in mood, nervousness and aggressiveness are quite normal phenomena for this stage. Many men notice that their pregnant wife becomes cold towards them. Not taking into account the fact that the woman’s body is under tremendous stress during this period. This can cause disagreements in the family, which, in turn, can provoke the appearance of a depressive state in a woman.
It is worth paying close attention to the emotional state of a pregnant woman when the general symptoms of the blues are lingering. If a man smooths out all the critical moments in a relationship with his wife and sets her in a positive mood, then the first trimester of pregnancy will pass without incident.
Second trimester
At this stage of pregnancy, the abdomen is already actively growing, so every day the woman begins to become more aware of her position. Moreover, as a rule, this awareness is connected with thoughts about how she will have to change her usual life, what she will have to give up and what she will have to sacrifice for the sake of the child.
Many during this period of pregnancy begin to look for new hobbies for themselves and change their lifestyle. Some start to knit, others draw, and others enroll in culinary courses. In this trimester of pregnancy, the risk of becoming depressed is lowest.
However, those women who are acutely experiencing physical changes in the body (growing stomach, pain in the lower back, joints, etc.) may experience certain mental abnormalities. The physical and psychological state of a person is very closely related. Therefore, those women who experience certain inconvenience in connection with their new position should pay more attention to sleep and rest.
Third Trimester: Prenatal Depression
The third trimester is the most dangerous period in terms of emotional and psychological disorders. Women in the last months of pregnancy are already fully aware of their situation and imagine in their colors their upcoming lifestyle. And, as a rule, he does not seem too rosy to them.
Depression before childbirth can occur due to a woman’s internal fear of becoming a housewife. Many people invest in this concept of perpetual cooking, washing diapers, mountains of dirty dishes and all the other delights of home care.
Such a condition is so common that it is already "recorded" in prenatal symptoms. At the end of the term, the woman is already tired both physically and emotionally. It is difficult for her to do everyday business, so most of the time she spends lying or sitting on the couch. Such fatigue even more affects the behavior of a woman, therefore, most often she seeks to retire and think about the correctness of her decision to become a mother. Without serious support from relatives, such a state can drag on, which is very dangerous. After all, in front of her, the birth of a child is waiting, and prenatal depression can prevent a woman from attuning to the upcoming difficulties. Let us dwell on the characteristics of this state.
Causes
The first thing to understand is where the prenatal depression of pregnant women comes from. The causes can be very diverse. The fact is that during pregnancy, the hormonal background of a woman changes dramatically, so she is more sensitive to everyday life difficulties than before. But among the most common causes that result in prenatal depression, the following can be distinguished:
- Conflicts in the family. Close relatives need to clearly understand that a pregnant woman reacts very sharply to all conflict situations, especially if they are somehow related to her situation. Long quarrels can cause prenatal depression.
- Financial difficulties. Before an important event in life, all women have a so-called nesting effect. If the future mother, due to her financial capabilities, cannot acquire all the necessary things for her child, then she becomes depressed.
- Unhealthy Lifestyle. It is noted that women who lead an active lifestyle, regularly and fully eat and observe sleep and rest, are less prone to such a condition as prenatal depression.
- Bad habits. Nicotine, alcohol and drug addiction are a direct path to the onset of a painful condition before childbirth.
- Fear of upcoming status. Even if the appearance of the child in the family is a planned event, this does not guarantee that the woman will not begin to doubt the correctness of her decision. Especially sharply these doubts begin to torment her in the last days before childbirth. Therefore, in such a situation, a man needs to understand that his pregnant wife requires special attention.
- Difficult pregnancy. When pregnancy proceeds unfavorably and a woman periodically has to go to hospital under the supervision of doctors, she experiences a lot of negative emotions, such as fear, despair, weakness, and so on. Ultimately, all these negative emotions can develop into prenatal depression.
Knowing the cause is much easier to deal with. As a rule, cases in which it is impossible to do without the help of a qualified specialist are extremely rare.
Symptoms
Like any other disease, prenatal depression has its own symptoms. Many are frivolous about very important signs and attribute them to a bad mood, but this is fundamentally wrong. It is much more difficult to deal with a neglected form of psychological disorder than at its first manifestations.
Common symptoms of prenatal depression include:
- increased irritability;
- tearfulness;
- prolonged state of anxiety;
- distracted attention;
- loss of concentration;
- a constant feeling of hunger or, conversely, a lack of appetite;
- feeling of lethargy, fatigue, detachment;
- drowsiness;
- feeling of guilt, fear, hopelessness;
- lack of sleep;
- panic fear of childbirth;
- self-doubt and self-confidence.
Many of these symptoms are considered completely normal during pregnancy. For example, a huge number of pregnant women experience a constant feeling of hunger, while not suffering from this disorder. It is worth considering that one symptom cannot be cause for concern, but a combination of several signs of the disease can become a reason for contacting a specialist.
How to cope with prenatal depression?
If the symptoms of the disease state are not so pronounced and have an intermittent nature, then you can try to cope with it yourself. Here are some ways you can get rid of your negative mood:
- You can get rid of bad thoughts with your favorite thing. It can be cooking, drawing, reading - anything, if only it would bring positive emotions to the woman.
- Make a clear daily routine and strictly adhere to it. If you follow a clear daily routine, then the pregnant woman simply will not have time to be distracted by her own experiences.
- Exercises for pregnant women can not only prepare the expectant mother for the upcoming birth, but also raise her spirits.
- The main enemy of a woman with symptoms of prenatal depression is loneliness. Therefore, she needs to avoid him by any means. You should spend more time with friends, family, colleagues, and not quietly wait for your husband from work in four walls.
Many pregnant women for some reason are afraid to share their experiences with their relatives. But this is fundamentally wrong. If a woman is overwhelmed with negative emotions, she must definitely seek help and support from people close to her.
When should I contact a specialist?
When the prenatal condition of a woman causes concern not only for herself, but also for those around her, it is worth thinking about qualified help. The following symptoms should alert the relatives of a pregnant woman:
- panic fear of motherhood;
- apathy to everything that happens;
- overwhelming feeling of guilt and hopelessness;
- indifference to intimate life with her husband;
- a sharp decrease or increase in body weight;
- talking about death or suicide.
Family psychologists treat prenatal depression. Depending on the complexity of the psychological disorder, different methods of therapy are used, including pharmacological ones. To date, many drugs have been developed that are safe for both the mother and the child. But a speedy recovery can only be achieved with the help of reliable and strong support from loved ones.