It would seem that pregnancy is the mosta happy period in the life of any woman. However, alas, this is far from always the case. Emotional instability is a common condition for an expectant mother. A woman can cry, then laugh - and all this in a very short period of time. Therefore, it is difficult to surprise anyone with a bad mood of an expectant mother. But just a bad mood is not the worst thing. It is much worse if the expectant mother is faced with such a misfortune as depression. Depression during pregnancy is a very common phenomenon. But, unfortunately, very often depression is left without due attention. And this is fraught with serious consequences.
General information about depression
Depression is quite seriousdisease. It is characterized by a depressed state of mind. As a result, a person has a consistently bad mood, a negative vision of the world around them, a pessimistic perception of reality. Simply put, a person suffering from depression is sure that everything is very bad and nothing will change in the future, and he is simply unable to influence the situation in any way. By the way, psychotherapists claim that women suffer from depression twice as often as men. There are two versions of this explanation:
- Features of the female psyche
Women are much more willing to share theirsexperiences with others, unlike men. That is why it is much easier to diagnose depression in them. And therefore, it is the fair sex that gets into the statistics.
- Interrelation of emotional state and hormonal background
The psychological state of a woman directlydepends on her hormonal background. A striking example is the notorious PMS. And the main distinctive feature of premenstrual syndrome is emotional instability. But the change in hormonal background before menstruation is not that strong. What can we say about a pregnant woman? After all, real hormonal storms occur in her body! Of course, depression during pregnancy does not occur in every expectant mother - only in 20% of all pregnancies. And depression in pregnant women is much milder than in everyone else. But it should not be ignored under any circumstances, since depression increases the risk of complications during pregnancy.
Risk Factors for Depression
Of course, it is very difficult to predict whether depression will affect you. However, there are a number of certain risk factors. These include:
- Depression before pregnancy
Especially often with depression during waitingwomen who were prone to depressive states before pregnancy are faced with this problem. Especially if drug treatment for this disease was interrupted due to pregnancy.
- Genetic predisposition
In the event that any of the relativesthere have been cases of depression, expectant mothers are much more at risk of developing depression than others. Their relatives and friends should be especially attentive.
- Unwanted pregnancy
Very often, depression develops in expectant mothersin the event that pregnancy is undesirable and the birth of a child is perceived as a negative event that can significantly complicate life.
Causes of depression
In the event that a pregnant woman breaks up withthe father of the future child, or during the period of expectation of the child there was a grief - a serious illness or death of a loved one, or some other really unpleasant event, the reason for the depressive state is quite clear. But, fortunately, such serious reasons are quite rare. Most often, depression occurs - at first glance - without any reason. And the expectant mother herself feels good, and the pregnancy is going perfectly, and the future father blows dust off his wife, and at work there is understanding and support. But she cannot enjoy life, the mood is getting worse and worse. Why does this happen? Doctors say that during pregnancy, depression occurs due to a combination of two factors - physical and psychological. With physical, everything is quite clear - during pregnancy, a global restructuring of the hormonal background occurs. And it is because of this that emotional instability appears, which can persist throughout the pregnancy. In addition, during pregnancy, the expectant mother has a lot of psychological stress. And it is not surprising - after all, a woman's usual way of life changes dramatically during pregnancy, her whole life is subordinated only to bearing the pregnancy. If a woman led a passive, homely lifestyle before pregnancy, such changes will not have a particularly strong effect on her psychological state. But if the lifestyle of the expectant mother before pregnancy was active, such changes will become a very strong stress. In addition, it is not easy for those women who make too high demands on themselves. They believe that they must have time for everything, keep everything under control - work, housework, and the situation in the family. But during pregnancy, it is not so easy to cope with all this. And the expectant mother begins to lose optimism and become depressed.
Symptoms of Depression
So, we are more familiar with the reasons for the development of depression.or less figured out. Let's now figure out what symptoms this depression makes itself known. After all, only by knowing the signs can you notice the disease itself in time, and therefore provide the expectant mother with all the necessary assistance.
- Low mood
The first sign of depression is constantlow mood. The expectant mother is not pleased with almost anything, even those things that made her happy before. Of course, a bad mood sometimes gives way to a good one, but not for long and quite rarely. Moreover, if depression treatment is not started in time, such “bright spots” will be less and less frequent.
- Increased anxiety
Of course, any expectant mother worries aboutthe health of her future baby. However, with depression, this anxiety takes on a hypertrophied form - the woman is panicky afraid of literally everything. The fear of premature termination of pregnancy becomes a real obsession. The woman constantly lives as if "on a powder keg", expecting trouble. As a result - very strong emotional instability, tearfulness. Tears flow for any reason, and sometimes for no reason at all.
- Apathy
The woman loses interest in everything that happensaround. In particularly severe cases, even preparing a dowry for the future baby becomes uninteresting to the woman. A pregnant woman can sit or lie for hours, staring at one point, completely immersed in her sad thoughts.
- Self-Healing
Sometimes depression leads to a womanbegins to blame herself for all possible sins, with or without reason. The expectant mother considers herself a burden to her family, a worthless creature. She is sure that she will be a worthless mother and will not be able to cope with her responsibilities. Moreover, such thoughts can completely deprive a woman of peace.
- Sleep Disorders
During pregnancy, it is not uncommon to encounterdisturbances in the normal sleep rhythm. This can be either increased sleepiness or insomnia. Moreover, insomnia is much more common - gloomy thoughts simply do not allow a woman to fall asleep. By the way, constant lack of sleep also has a very negative effect on a woman's emotional state. It turns out to be a kind of vicious circle.
- Unreasonable aggression
Sometimes emotional instability manifests itselfnot excessive tearfulness, but unreasonable aggression. The expectant mother becomes a real fury, terrorizing everyone around her. However, she herself suffers greatly from this, since she understands the inadmissibility of such behavior.
Behavior of relatives
Very often even the closest people, without saying a wordand all the others around, they simply do not understand what is happening to the expectant mother. They begin to get nervous and even angry. The pregnant woman hears advice like "pull yourself together." Believe me, if the expectant mother could, she would definitely do it. When depressed, help from loved ones is very important. Moreover, it is needed even if the woman herself does not ask for this help. She may not even realize that she needs help. But it is the correct behavior of loved ones that can help a woman get out of depression in the shortest possible time. It is very important that loved ones do not succumb to the mood of the pregnant woman. Of course, depression is not the flu, it is not transmitted by airborne droplets. But it is very possible to earn a pessimistic mood. Therefore, be sure to maintain a certain psychological distance - remind yourself and the expectant mother that depression is a temporary phenomenon, and her condition will normalize very quickly. Never criticize a pregnant woman, and certainly do not reproach her for anything. On the contrary, constantly remind her that such a state is not the woman’s fault, but a real illness that requires appropriate treatment. But never focus the whole family’s attention on the depressive state of the expectant mother. It is much wiser to try to provide the woman with as many positive emotions as possible. After all, you probably know how exactly you can please your loved one? Go for it – you will definitely succeed. In addition, never try to remove the expectant mother from all sorts of things. Of course, a pregnant woman should rest as much as possible. But if you completely exclude the woman from family life, she may feel abandoned and unwanted. And this will only worsen the emotional state of the expectant mother.
Advice of the future mother
The tips below will be useful to bothto the expectant mother and her relatives. If these rules are followed, depression, if it does overtake the expectant mother, will proceed more gently. And it will pass much faster.
- Timely response
First of all, always remember that the soonerdepression is noticed and the necessary measures are taken, the easier it will be to cope with it. Start acting immediately as soon as you notice the first symptoms. Before the condition worsens, you need to act. Try to have more fun and rest. What do you like most? Go shopping? Then it's time to go shopping. Do you like nature? Why not go on a picnic? Or maybe you've long dreamed of the warm sun and gentle sea? In any case, your positive emotions should be in the foreground. Everything else can wait. After all, nothing terrible will happen to your husband if he eats dumplings for dinner.
- Operating mode
Of course, we are all adults and we are finewe understand that it is impossible to have pure pleasure for all 9 months. Life does not stop, and things need to be done in any case. But in order not to get bogged down in them "head over heels", you need to plan your day. It is best to do this in advance, in the evening. But try not to get caught on your own hook - the schedule should not be too strict. Otherwise, there is a high risk of not having time to do something. And in this case, depression will only get worse.
- Complete rest
In no case should we forget thatA pregnant woman is in dire need of a good rest. Don't take on all the household chores and worries - leave most of them to your family. Are they not active? Ask them for help! Perhaps they just don't realize that you need it. After all, fatigue during pregnancy is the biggest enemy of a future mother. Fatigue tends to accumulate, which means that sooner or later it will make itself known through irritability, fatigue and depression. And then depression is just a stone's throw away.
- Diet of a pregnant woman
Everyone knows that proper nutrition is time-consumingpregnancy is a guarantee of health for both the mother and the future child. However, not everyone knows that poor nutrition provokes the development of depression. Although depression itself suppresses appetite. Therefore, sometimes the expectant mother must make some effort, but still eat. Otherwise, it will be a vicious circle, which will eventually have to be broken sooner or later.
- Motor activity of a woman
Depression in almost all cases leads tothe emergence of apathy. This means that physical activity decreases – the woman is almost always in a sedentary state. In this case, the saying “fight fire with fire” is appropriate. Try to move as much as possible – within reason, of course, you should never exhaust yourself. But gymnastics for expectant mothers, aqua aerobics, or even the most ordinary walk can significantly improve the mood of the expectant mother. And the general positive effect of physical activity on the body of a pregnant woman is very difficult to overestimate. Surely, your body will thank you. By the way – about walking. Make it a rule to walk for at least two hours. Being outside the home also has a very positive effect on the emotional state of the expectant mother, especially in the third trimester. After all, monotony is very tiring. Although in no case should you forget about caution. When leaving the house, do not forget to take your passport and exchange card, a certain amount of money. Make sure that your mobile phone is always charged. And do not go on long trips under any circumstances – in the third trimester, labor can start at any moment. It should not take you by surprise.
- Appearance of the future mother
A woman always remains a woman in any case.A woman always wants to look good. And if she looks unkempt, the depressive state will only worsen. Therefore, try to find time for yourself under any circumstances. Hygiene procedures alone are clearly not enough. Go to the hairdresser, buy a new blouse you like, do your makeup. Surely the feeling of your own attractiveness will significantly improve your mood.
Postpartum Depression
Talking about depression that canduring pregnancy, it is impossible not to mention – at least briefly – postpartum pregnancy, so that it does not take you by surprise. Many women who have recently become mothers experience postpartum depression. This depression is associated with social, chemical and psychological changes in the life and body of any woman that occur after the birth of a baby. In addition, these are emotional and physical changes that occur in the life of a young mother. Most often, this depression occurs in the third week after childbirth. And it is not surprising - during pregnancy, the level of almost all hormones increases by about 10 times. And after childbirth, it decreases sharply, quickly returning to normal - in about those same three weeks. It goes without saying that such surges cannot but affect the physical and emotional state of the young mother. After all, a lot depends on the hormonal background. Moreover, the congratulations and delight of relatives have died down, the flowers given have wilted and everyday life has begun, which the young mother could only guess about before. There is less and less time for sleep, and more and more responsibilities. Especially if the baby cries often. Of course, the young mother is very scared - after all, there is no and cannot be any precise advice on how to calm or at least differentiate the cries of the baby. Running around the house like a wind-up toy, the mother still does not have time for anything, is exhausted. Everything falls out of her hands, and the feeling of unappreciated her glorious feat only worsens her condition. This is where the mother gets into a swamp of thoughts about her ineptitude and clumsiness. Young mothers do not have many opportunities for communication, especially since now it seems that it is not fashionable to walk with strollers, grouped in groups, as it was before. But it is in such a circle of like-minded people that you can and should find support, understand that you are no worse than everyone else and any woman who has given birth faces similar problems. You can prevent this type of depression - by asking for help and allowing your family to help you. Also, try not to focus on just the baby. Don't stop paying attention to your husband - haven't you pushed him into the far corner like a temporarily useless thing in the household? Your man is also having a hard time, so try to support him a little. And then he will probably treat your condition with even more understanding. And you can't forget about yourself, your beloved. You can always find a little time for your hobbies, sports or rest. Try to do something that you have been meaning to do for a long time, but you just couldn't do it. Even such simple things - a balanced diet and morning exercises - can help you improve your condition.
Conclusion
Do you remember how our conversation began?That's right, with the statement that pregnancy is one of the best periods in any life. Therefore, in no case should depression be allowed to ruin this period. As you can see, it is quite possible to cope with this ailment, if only there is desire and a little knowledge. But if you feel that you cannot cope with depression on your own, be sure to seek help from a psychologist. Very often women refuse to go to the doctor, fearing ridicule and condemnation from others. And in vain - today a visit to a psychologist is not something shameful. And such professional help will help to avoid many problems. Including postpartum depression. After all, it is also far from the most pleasant phenomenon that can lie in wait for a new mother. After all, it is in these first weeks and months after childbirth that the mother is required to give maximum dedication and attention. But even if you were unable to avoid the appearance of postpartum depression, do not despair. It is quite possible to cope with it. And quite quickly. All worries and troubles will pass very quickly. And the happiness of motherhood will stay with you for the rest of your life! If you realize this, no depression will be scary for you. We sincerely wish you a positive pregnancy, easy delivery and a happy life. We recommend reading:
