Is it normal to feel depressed while pregnant

Postpartum depression needs to be treated. Talk to your doctor or call your local public health office. 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 They may be loving one minute and withdrawn the next.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.

Attachment is a deep emotional bond that a baby forms with the person who provides most of his care. A mother responds to her crying infant, offering whatever she feels her baby needs—feeding, a diaper change, cuddling.

It makes a baby feel safe and secure, and helps him learn to trust others. Toddlers and preschoolers whose mothers are depressed may:. Teens whose mothers suffer from depression are at high risk for a number of problems such as major depression, anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, substance abuse, ADHD, and learning difficulties. With treatment, most people recover from depression.

Treatment can include one or more of the following:. You may think you should stop taking medication for depression when you are pregnant. Remember that, if left untreated, depression can have serious effects for both you and your baby. If you are taking antidepressants and are thinking about getting pregnant or are already pregnant , talk to your doctor first, before stopping any medication.

You can also consult the following trusted resources: www. Some newborn babies may have symptoms such as irritability, fast breathing, tremors and poor feeding if their mothers took antidepressants during pregnancy.

If you're pregnant, chances are you've heard about postpartum depression. But did you know that many women also experience depression during pregnancy?

Pregnancy can be a time of joy — and stress. Rates might be higher in low and middle income countries. Depression, a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest, is the most common mood disorder in the general population. The condition occurs twice as often in women as in men, and the initial onset of depression peaks during a woman's reproductive years.

Some symptoms of depression, including changes in sleep, energy level, appetite and libido, are similar to symptoms of pregnancy. As a result, you or your health care provider might attribute these symptoms to your pregnancy, rather than depression. Women might also be reluctant to talk to their health care providers about changes in moods during pregnancy, due to the stigma associated with depression.

There's also a tendency to focus more on women's physical health during pregnancy, rather than mental health. The signs and symptoms of depression during pregnancy are the same as those that occur with depression in the general population. However, additional clues that might indicate depression during pregnancy include:. Some research suggests that depressive episodes occur more frequently during the first and third trimesters. If you have untreated depression, you might not seek optimal prenatal care, eat the healthy foods your baby needs or have the energy to care for yourself.

You are also at increased risk of postpartum depression and having difficulty bonding with your baby. Depending on the severity of your depression, treatment options might include psychotherapy or antidepressants in addition to psychotherapy. Registry Builder New. Depression During Pregnancy. Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals.

Prenatal depression is surprisingly common. Fortunately, help is available — and it can make a big difference for both mom and baby. Back to Top. In This Article. It's not easy being blue — especially when everyone around you thinks you're feeling rosy.

Continue Reading Below. Recommended Reading. Postpartum Depression PPD. The Baby Blues. View Sources. American Psychiatric Association, What is Telepsychiatry? Your Health. Pregnancy Groups. Having a baby is a life-changing event, and while it can be a time of great joy, it can also be really difficult.

Dads' mental health. What you need to know. Antenatal depression and postnatal depression have the same symptoms and are treated the same way.

The only difference is when it starts. There's a lot of support available for women experiencing antenatal depression. Self-care is important when you have antenatal depression. Mindfulness and meditation can really help too. On this page About antenatal depression. About antenatal depression Antenatal depression also known as perinatal depression has the same symptoms as postnatal depression. Both forms of depression: involve serious negative emotional changes that last longer than two weeks stop you from doing what you need or want to do day-to-day are treated in the same way.

Generally, the earlier you talk to a professional, the faster supports can be put in place. Visit depression.