Depression can be very dangerous during pregnancy as it can compromise both your health and your baby's health. However, there are a number of effective treatments available to help you overcome pregnancy depression.
Depression during pregnancy is actually much more common then many people realize. At one time, health care professionals thought that pregnant women couldn't suffer from depression because of their pregnancy hormones. It was believed that these hormones protected against mood disorders like depression.
It is now known that the rapid rise in hormone levels during pregnancy is actually a very common trigger for depression. At least 20% of pregnant women experience some depressive symptoms during their pregnancies, while 10% of pregnant women develop full-blown clinical depression.
What Causes Depression During Pregnancy?
Depression is actually caused by a number of different factors. First and foremost, depression seems to be linked to a change in the levels of chemicals in the brain. These chemicals govern your moods, and when they become disrupted, this can lead to depression.
During pregnancy, the rapid change in your body's hormones can trigger a change in the levels of these chemicals, resulting in depression. Depression can also be triggered by various emotional, psychological, or personal factors, including stressful life events, financial troubles, or a death in the family.
Who's At Risk
Any pregnant woman can develop depression at some point throughout her pregnancy. However, certain factors do seem to put some pregnant women at more risk for the disorder. These risk factors include:
- personal or family history of depression
- relationship or personal difficulties
- unplanned pregnancy
- previous miscarriage or pregnancy loss
- pregnancy complications
- history of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
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