Perinatal Depression – Signs, Treatment, Prevention

Pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation. But it can also wreak havoc on your mind and body, thanks to fluctuating hormones that directly affect mental and physical changes throughout your nine-month journey. Unfortunately, such changes may continue after you give birth.

Now, there are several things that concern an expecting mum and if most of these are stressful and negative, they can lead to perinatal depression – a type of depression that occurs during or after pregnancy.

Perinatal depression affects your emotional state, which also leads to problems that you could face with your body. For instance, muscle and joint pains. It can last for a prolonged period and could get quite intense if not adequately taken care of.

What Is Perinatal Depression?

Perinatal depression is a mood disorder that can affect mums during pregnancy and even after childbirth. The word “perinatal” refers to the time before and after childbirth. Perinatal depression includes the depression that begins during pregnancy (prenatal depression) and depression that begins after the child is born (postpartum depression).

Mums with perinatal depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that might make it difficult for them to perform daily chores.

Symptoms of Perinatal Depression

Here’s the answer to your question.

• Persistent sadness and loss of interest in several activities

• Feelings of emptiness and hopelessness

• Feelings of guilt and helplessness

• Frequent crying and trouble sleeping

• Fatigue and an abnormal decrease in energy

• Difficulty in concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

• Thoughts about suicide, or harming oneself

• Poor bonding with the infant

• Irritability and increased feelings of anxiety

• Changes in weight and appetite

• Pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause

Causes of Perinatal Depression

According to research, 20% of women experience perinatal depression. Fatigue and nausea as a result of morning sickness during pregnancy involves physical changes that can be uncomfortable.

The prospect of caring for a newborn along with the financial or environmental stressors accompanying this responsibility can also be overwhelming. All these factors can contribute to perinatal depression causes.

Studies show that perinatal depression can be a result of hormonal shifts, particularly the interplay between oestrogen and progesterone.

Genetics and epigenetics also contribute to perinatal depression. Besides, lack of social support, pregnancy complications, and unintended pregnancy can lead to perinatal depression.

Mums are at an increased risk for developing perinatal depression if they have bipolar disorder or if they have experienced perinatal depression in their previous pregnancies.

Diagnosition for Perinatal Depression

It can be difficult to identify perinatal depression. This is so because some of the symptoms of depression can overlap with the effects of a normal pregnancy. The overlapping symptoms are fatigue, weight gain, or altered sleeping pattern.

Screening and specific assessment can help diagnose perinatal depression.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, obstetric care providers must screen pregnant women for perinatal depression at least once during pregnancy using a standardised and validated tool.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the most common screening tool used.

Treatment for Perinatal Depression

Treatment for perinatal depression is important for the health of both the mum and the infant. Its treatment often includes therapy, medications, or a combination of the two. If these treatments do not reduce symptoms, brain stimulation therapies, such as electroconvulsive therapy might be an option.

Some of the treatment options are:

1. Psychotherapy: Several types of psychotherapy can help women experiencing perinatal depression. Two examples of evidence-based approaches that have been used to treat perinatal depression are:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of psychotherapy that can help women with perinatal depression. CBT can be conducted individually or with a group of people having similar concerns. CBT helps them to change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour thereby improving their depressive and anxious feelings and emotions.

• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): IPT is an evidence-based therapy and has been used to treat depression, including perinatal depression.

It is based on the idea that interpersonal and life events impact mood and vice versa and its goal is to help people to improve their communication skills within relationships.

2. Medication: Women with perinatal depression are most commonly treated with antidepressants. These medications in turn help improve the way the brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. 

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should inform their healthcare provider before starting antidepressants. This is important so that the healthcare provider can minimise the baby’s exposure to the medication.

Key Takeaways

It is common to experience emotional ups and downs during pregnancy and even after giving birth. Managing the symptoms of depression during pregnancy or caring for a newborn can feel overwhelming. There are several self-care and coping tips that you can try in order to alleviate some of the symptoms of perinatal depression.

Staying physically active and engaging in exercises after talking to the doctor can help keep stress at bay. Quality sleep and adequate rest during pregnancy and the postpartum period are highly recommended.

Your body needs additional calories and nutrients during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hence you must focus on the perfect postpartum diet.

Concluding Lines

Pregnancy and motherhood can bring a range of feelings from sheer excitement and joyful celebration to sadness, loneliness, and emptiness. If you’re experiencing any symptoms of perinatal depression, it is important for you to remember that you aren’t alone.

There are safe and effective ways to treat and manage the symptoms. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor. Don’t hesitate to ask for help as it’s the first step in finding ways to feel better.

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