Perinatal (pregnancy and after birth) depression in women

Perinatal (pregnancy and postpartum) depression: what is it?

Perinatal depression has two forms - depression that occurs during pregnancy and depression that occurs after birth. Both are serious and involve negative emotional changes that last longer than two weeks and prevent you from doing the things you want to do in your daily life.

They have the same symptoms and are treated in the same way. The only difference between them is the response time. In any case, both forms of depression are more than the emotional changes you might expect during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child. For example, pregnant women can feel quite emotional as they go through major physical and practical changes during that time. And new mothers can experience mild depression a few days after giving birth.

Both forms of emotional change do not last long. You may hear antenatal and postnatal depression are sometimes collectively referred to as perinatal depression. If you or your partner are experiencing symptoms of depression, you need professional help and family support. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression as early as possible.

Symptoms of perinatal depression

Perinatal depression can vary from person to person. If you have been in a bad or irritable mood or have lost interest in things you would normally enjoy, this should be taken seriously. You may also notice changes in your emotions and thinking, behavior and social life, and general physical well-being, which are listed below. If you feel any of the following changes for more than two weeks, it is important to seek professional support. It is also important to tell your doctor if you have had a mental illness in the past. Earlier mental illnesses can return in pregnancy.

Emotional changes

You may find that:

• you are not in a good mood for a long time
• you are crying often or
• you are sad 
• you lack self-confidence 
• you are angry or
• you are overwhelmed with fear
• you are lonely or scared to be alone with the baby.

Changes in opinion

Thoughts of the following content appear to you:

• that everything is going wrong
• that everything is your fault or
• you are worthless or unsuccessful 
• your baby is better off with someone else
• "I can't do this" or "I can't handle this"
• you are losing the ability to think clearly and make decisions,
• your concentration drops
• you think your baby doesn’t love you
• you are thinking of hurting yourself or your baby.

Behavioral changes and social change
It may happen that:

• you are losing interest in activities you usually enjoy
• it's hard for you to move around
• everyday activities (cooking, shopping) are hard for you 
• you withdraw from friends and family members
• you don’t take care of your home

Physical changes
You may have

• sleep problems - insomnia or excessive sleep
• changes in appetite - you don't eat enough or you eat too much
• low energy level.

Fewer women experience the first signs of depression in the first weeks after giving birth. if you are concerned that you or your partner are thinking or behaving differently than usual, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

If you have ideas about hurting yourself or a family member, contact your doctor immediately for help.    

Getting help with perinatal depression

If you think you may have perinatal depression, early professional help is important. Your doctor may refer you to specialists who can help. Getting proper support will help you manage your symptoms and feel better soon.

Some women think that seeking help means they will be separated from their babies. But health services are there to help you recover so you can connect with your baby and be the parent you want to be.

Treatment of perinatal depression

There are many treatment options if you have symptoms of perinatal depression. Your doctor will discuss with you a treatment plan that suits your personal circumstances and age, as well as the type and severity of your depression. For many people, medications used in conjunction with psychological therapy can work very well.

Admission to the hospital

It is not uncommon for young mothers to be admitted to the hospital due to perinatal depression. Healthcare professionals may consider admitting women to the hospital in case a woman has a strong urge to commit suicide or thinks of hurting herself or her baby. You should contact your doctor or the emergency department of your local hospital immediately. Doctors and hospital staff can provide the help and support you need.

Practical help strategies 

If you or someone close to you has perinatal depression, here are some strategies to help.

Emotional support

Getting emotional support from partners, family and friends is an important way to deal with perinatal depression. Talking to someone who can understand how you are feeling can help you manage some of the symptoms. A parent group, playroom, or therapy group can be another source of emotional support. In these groups you can meet other people with whom you will share your experiences.

Help at home

Your partner, family and close friends can provide practical help at home. It is good to ask someone you trust to come regularly and help with household chores or child care. Help at home gives you the opportunity to rest, fall asleep or do something relaxing. It is also a good source of socializing, which is important for your recovery. There is no need to feel guilty about asking for this kind of help. Many like to help and will be glad if you ask them to do something concrete.

Take care of yourself

Your emotional well-being and your physical health are directly related.

In both cases, you can do the following:

• exercise regularly 
• find a good way to plan your day
• eat well - have some simple foods on hand, such as fruit, yogurt, wholemeal bread and fresh cut vegetables ready to eat
• try to rest - sleep while the baby sleeps, go to bed early and sleep whenever you can.

Men also experience perinatal depression. In fact, 1 in 10 men experience depression during pregnancy or after a baby is born.