Most people have heard of postpartum depression (PPD). What about prenatal or perinatal depression (depression during pregnancy)? Women who have perinatal depression may feel ashamed to admit their unhappy feelings when they are in their first few months of pregnancy. Isn’t this supposed to be one the happiest time of a mom’s life? Feelings of agitation, anxiety and stress keep many women from asking for help, or from recognizing they have depression.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say that between 14 – 23 percent of women will struggle with some symptoms of depression during pregnancy. Many people think perinatal depression is “just hormones” during pregnancy. Depression and other mood disorders are illnesses in the brain at a cellular level and most require treatment.
If you have the following symptoms for two weeks or more, please seek help from your doctor or a mental health professional. If a person doesn’t listen, keep asking! You and your baby are worth a second, third or even more tries. Look for:
· Crying
· Sleep problems (not due to frequent urination)
· Fatigue
· Appetite disturbance
· Loss of enjoyment of activities
· Anxiety
· Poor fetal attachment
The following link to a helpful website assists in breaking down a few differences between perinatal depression, baby blues and postpartum depression.
Awareness of this condition will make it easier for you and other moms who may be suffering in silence. You know yourself better than anyone else. Trust yourself if you think something might not be quite right. Read about Kassy’s Kause at www.kassyskause.org to learn more about symptoms and to hear other testimonials. There is hope and there is help.
This blog was written by Catherine Roth, Community Health Education B.S., Community Health Worker, Labor of Love, and Darlene Lundquist, RN, Community Health Worker, Labor of Love. To learn more about our Labor of Love program, please click here.