For a lot of women pregnancy happens to be the most happiest moment of their life, but stress , anxiety or depression also accompany this phase. As per estimates nearly 25 % of women struggle with depression at some point during their phase of pregnancy. It is a disorder that takes a toll on 1 out 4 women, so it is a not a matter of surprise that pregnant women are more prone to this form of disorder. The worst part is that a lot of women are not able to diagnose it properly as they consider it to some form of hormonal imbalances that is pretty common during the phase of pregnancy.

This form of assumption could be dangerous for both the mother along with the baby as well. This disorder can be treated and managed, but it is important that you seek some form of emotional support. Depression medications while pregnant could provide timely relief from the same as well. But before consumption of medicines it is better to seek the advice of a doctor as side effects could spring up anytime.

All about depression during pregnancy

When you are depressed during pregnancy it is more of a clinical depression. It could involve changes in the brain chemistry. When pregnant the hormonal changes do take a toll as far as the chemicals in your brain evolve.  This could be compounded by real life situations that results in depression being formed during the course of pregnancy.

Some of the signs of depression include

• Difficulty in concentrating
• Too much or too little sleep
• Anxiety
• Feeling of a sense of guilt
• A sudden loss of interest in any form of activities that you normally enjoy
• Constant thoughts of death or feeling neglected in life

Would depression lead to some form of harm to the developing baby?

Depression if not treated properly can cause harm to both the mother along with the developing baby. When depression is not untreated it can lead to smoking, drinking or suicidal behaviour. Chances of premature delivery and developmental problems could also spring up. A woman who is normally depressed does not possess the strength to take care of herself along with the developing baby as well.

On the other side of the coin, babies who are born to depressed mothers may be less active, the attention levels tend to fluctuate and tend to be all the more agitated that babies who are born to normal mothers. For this reason it is of paramount importance that both the mother along with the baby does get the right form of help.

Just like digestion medicine during pregnancy provides timely relief, so is the case with depression. The moment you figure out that you are struggling with depression it would be better to seek help. Do discuss with your health care provider the symptoms associated with depression and how their expertise can help you to overcome the problems. They are going to discuss the best options for both the mother and the baby.