More awareness is essential as many women endure this devastating misery by simply explaining away the symptoms, blaming a huge range of emotional states on hormones and general tiredness.
Misery and despair are not words naturally associated with pregnancy. So why do some women become depressed during this "joyful" time? It is not surprising at all; becoming a parent is arguably the biggest, most demanding life change there is.
The causes, as with many other forms of depression, can be social and/or emotional. In the instance of antenatal depression as with postnatal depression some causes can also be attributed to the physical changes the body is going through.
Emotional Factors
The Unplanned Pregnancy
Even when a pregnancy is carefully planned the massive life alteration can still shock. Therefore an accident can feel catastrophic in its proportions. There is little time to prepare and completely re-plan your life.
Previous Miscarriage or Stillbirth
This will inevitably leave you intensely anxious about the safety and health of the new baby. It is incredibly easy for these worries to become all-consuming. A sufferer may find herself going through the painful grieving process all over again as memories draw back the feelings of incredible loss.
Intense Anxieties
Thinking there is a problem with the baby or the terror of giving birth can affect anyone and these can lead only too quickly to a depressed state as they become heightened and irrational. These are the natural and most common fears nearly all women experience during a pregnancy taken to unrelenting extremes. Although the worry that there is something wrong with the baby can be abated by the scans, those suffering with antenatal depression will be never be reassured enough.
A First Time Pregnancy
No woman knows how on earth she will cope with another completely dependent life to protect, support and nurture. Many new mothers can feel terrified of failing their family and their baby.
Social Factors
Financial Problems
Instead of excitedly planning color schemes for the nursery and purchasing all the "essential" paraphernalia a baby needs, a mother-to-be may find herself anxious as to how they will provide for their child. This can lead to guilt, fear and a pessimistic future outlook.
Relationship Problems
These can be particularly miserable during pregnancy. Irrational fears relating to a partner can grow rapidly out of control. Many sufferers feel certain their partner will leave them either due to the physical changes, feeling large and unattractive, or due to mood swings or just the general fear of the burden of commitment.
The Disintegration of the Extended Family
This may intensify the isolation felt during the antenatal period. Past generations often lived close together as part of the same community thus providing several close female family members to turn to for support. Nowadays families have become smaller and smaller often living further and further apart due to varying social and economic reasons.
Single Motherhood
It is frightening not knowing how one will cope with going it alone. It can feel very strange attending antenatal classes alone and seeing lots of couples.
A Woman's Career
If it has taken time to reach a good position in role that is enjoyed, it can be a time for concern when trying to work out how you will reconcile the world of work with motherhood.
Physical Causes
The dreaded weight gain, although anticipated, can feel pretty miserable plus constantly feeling nauseous. Something as simple as low iron levels, endured by many throughout pregnancy can also affect mood.
Finally, obviously, hormones will often play their part in causing antenatal depression. Progesterone and estrogen increase significantly during pregnancy. This is what causes the nausea and the breasts to swell. It should also foster a feeling of well-being, usually referred to as the, "bloom." It is thought that during some pregnancies the placenta doesn't produce enough progesterone necessary to boost this feeling, leaving the mother depressed. Fortunately this has no adverse effect on the baby.
When illness or complications strike during a pregnancy it is inevitable the mother will be anxious and therefore feel low. There are many health problems that worsen with pregnancy.
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms for antenatal depression can be recognized as resembling that of any other depression. They usually include one or more of the following:
- Low self esteem
- Eating problems
- Trouble with sleep
- Feeling hollow and numb
- Difficulty concentrating and decision making
- Always blaming yourself for things/excessive guilt
- Irritability and impatience
- No pleasure in once pleasurable activities
- Cutting off from others
- A pessimistic future outlook
- Reduced energy
- Wanting to hurt yourself
- Suicidal thoughts
To Conclude
The social and emotional factors outlined above are very common examples of feelings and situations that may lead to a depressed state. Of course there varying situations anybody may be faced with that could also lead to despair. As always shutting yourself away is the worst possible remedy for depression. Keep talking to someone, whether friends, family, partner or trained professional (your GP can refer you). You are not a failure when experiencing depression, it is important not to feel you are being judged when seeking help from a GP or counselor, they are there to help.
Never allow yourself to feel guilty for being depressed just because pregnancy is supposed to be a happy time. It simply isn't true for all of us. Remember a mother that seeks help during difficult times in order to be able to do the best she can for herself, her family and her baby is a good mother.
