How to get rid of prenatal depression? Prenatal depression in pregnant women: how to cope.

Prenatal depression can affect almost any woman in an “interesting” position. Pregnancy is a difficult and energy-consuming period in the life of an expectant mother awaiting the birth of her baby. No one is immune from the appearance of symptoms of fatigue, weakness, and apathy. However, you can effectively combat this difficult condition by knowing the causes, symptoms and treatments for prenatal depression.

Why can a pregnant woman experience depression?

Among the many factors influencing the course of pregnancy and the mood of the expectant mother, psychologists identify the following reasons:

The presence of intractable problems in the family related to the emotional situation, lack of support from relatives or a spouse, due to which prenatal depression appears.
Financial difficulties, as well as unstable, dysfunctional relationships with the father of the unborn child, have a negative impact on the health and mood of a pregnant woman.
An unhealthy lifestyle, irregular diet, and lack of an optimal daily routine allow symptoms of depression to quickly appear.
Smoking, alcohol, and psychotropic drugs also make a significant “contribution” to the development of a depressive state. Even if a pregnant woman smoked and drank strong alcohol six months to a year before conception, the risk of depression will be an order of magnitude higher than for those who consciously prepared for the role of a mother.
Among the factors that cause depression before childbirth, experts highlight the presence of stressful situations, job instability, lack of social support.
Doubts about the correctness of the decision to give birth to a child, the desire to save a dysfunctional and disintegrating family by any means possible through the birth of a baby can lead to serious adverse consequences. In this case, stress and internal conflicts, despite the generally happy event, are guaranteed. If there is no love and mutual understanding in the family, a woman can develop not only prenatal, but also postpartum depression.
Chronic and untreated diseases also do not contribute to a favorable pregnancy. Hormonal changes increased load on the spine and internal organs provide the appearance of numerous symptoms of emotional distress, which results in prolonged prenatal depression in pregnant women.

In what cases is specialist help needed?

Every pregnancy experience is unique in its own way, but there are some signs of depression that can disturb a woman physically and emotionally. These symptoms are associated with a certain trimester, when unexpected mood swings occur, the level of sensitivity increases, and irritability appears.

You should not worry if these feelings do not last long without causing significant problems for you or your loved ones. It is only necessary to pay serious attention to the following warning signs on the eve of childbirth, indicating that prenatal depression is occurring and needs to be dealt with:

Difficulty remembering, inability to concentrate, difficulty absorbing information;
Acute indecision in decision making;
Excessive anxiety about the current pregnancy, future motherhood;
Excessive irritability, tearfulness, a feeling of emotional devastation that is difficult to deal with;
Difficulty falling asleep, any sleep problems that did not bother you before pregnancy;
Constant fatigue, weakness even in the morning, inability to fully rest for a long time;
Unjustified feelings of guilt, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness;
Loss of interest in the intimate side of life, apparent cooling of one’s feelings towards one’s husband;
Sudden weight loss or rapid weight gain;
Significant changes in habits;
The appearance of disturbing thoughts about suicide, persistent and persistent apathy towards everything.

If all of these symptoms are noticed, we're talking about O pathological condition, whose name is prenatal depression. When the state of depression, anxiety, and emotional distress lasts more than three weeks, this means that you cannot do without qualified psychological help. If you ignore the problem or refuse to contact a specialist, severe postpartum depression can negatively affect both the mother’s condition and the child’s health.

Treatment and help for loved ones

In solving such problems, the method of family or individual psychotherapy has proven itself to be excellent. Since the essence of the difficulties that arise is not related to the character traits of the spouses, but to a misunderstanding difficult period life and their roles, only a specialist can find correct solution and effectively help the family.

Depending on the degree of the disorder, prenatal depression is treated with the latest pharmacological drugs, safe for the health of the expectant mother and child.

Select appropriate medications and determine permissible doses Only a doctor can take medicine.

What can be done to prevent depression from occurring in the expectant mother or to go away very quickly? The most effective and effective method solutions to this psychological problem will be the sincere love and help of a spouse. A man, daily demonstrating to a woman his readiness to help, sharing with her all her problems and difficulties, taking part in the life of the family, provides powerful and invaluable support to the expectant mother. This helps create a favorable microclimate in the family, unites spouses, and strengthens mutual love and affection.

Many couples who are expecting a child sign up for special courses. Such classes can be very useful in preparing for the role of future parents. There you can learn about all the nuances of a pregnant woman’s condition, get the most reliable information about the course of childbirth, and the features of the postpartum period.

A man can also accompany the expectant mother of his child to consultations with doctors, carefully ensuring that the environment in the house is as comfortable and calm as possible.

A man can do a lot to improve the condition of the expectant mother if he often and willingly discuss with her the changes in the life of the family associated with the birth of a child. If spouses share their experiences and talk about topics that are relevant to young parents, an optimal environment is created for the birth of a baby.

The expectant mother herself can do a lot to avoid depression. This is an accurate understanding of one’s role, a focus on a successful outcome of childbirth, taking care of one’s health and the unborn baby, and creating conditions for a comfortable placement of the child at home.

Don't forget about the simple ones, accessible joys – healthy sleep, proper nutrition, communicating with friends, attending pleasant events. Fill your life with ordinary favorite activities, do not refuse to satisfy even the strangest desires. Sign up for a swimming pool or decoupage course, go to hiking to parks and recreation areas, and do light exercise if your condition allows. Joy and positive attitude will allow you to overcome any problems with dignity.

All these measures will help a woman effectively cope with temporary difficulties and maintain emotional balance!

Prenatal depression can affect almost any pregnant woman. It is very different from ordinary depression. Pregnancy is a difficult period in a woman’s life, which requires a lot of energy and strength. Any woman experiences indescribable happiness when expecting the birth of a baby, but sometimes this state is overshadowed by various thoughts that lead a woman off her usual rut. She begins to worry that she is not ready to become a mother, and such thoughts become more and more depressing. This is how depression before childbirth manifests itself.

Causes of prenatal depression

Prenatal depression in pregnant women occurs due to various reasons. The following factors lead to this state of mind:

financial difficulties;
past or present violence;
emotional experiences;
problems at work or in relationships;
complications during a previous pregnancy, etc.

As doctors note, prenatal depression often occurs due to discord in the family. A quarrel with your husband, any troubles in the house can cause this condition. Pregnant women should not be upset, since in this situation the mood of the fair sex changes all the time, and any sadness can ultimately turn into full-fledged depression.

Play a major role in the onset of depression individual characteristics woman, as well as her character. Quite often, expectant mothers do not quite understand what they feel. In addition, women who are about to give birth for the first time are afraid of not coping with the role of a mother. This begins to put a lot of pressure on them, leading to prenatal depression, especially if the woman does not have support.

A depressed state in a pregnant woman can cause partner's sexual behavior. Many men are afraid to disturb their significant other once again and suppress their sexual desire. This is often due to fear of harming the unborn child. This leads to the fact that a woman ceases to feel desired and loved - this, in turn, also contributes to the development of depression. During this difficult period, the spouse must be very sensitive and support his significant other in everything. He needs to instill in the pregnant woman confidence and the feeling that she will cope well with the role of a mother.

Symptoms of Prenatal Depression

Every pregnancy is unique, so prenatal depression is unique in its own way for every woman. But there are signs that greatly influence expectant mother both psychologically and physiologically. These symptoms are associated with a woman's transition into a new trimester. Her mood begins to change frequently and she becomes irritable. If such signs disappear without a trace after some time, then there is nothing to worry about. The situation can cause concern if all the symptoms are present until the birth itself.

You need to pay attention to the following warning signs:

the pregnant woman's memory begins to deteriorate, she begins to forget simple things, cannot concentrate on anything, poorly absorbs information, and becomes absent-minded;
there is strong indecision in making certain decisions, including those related to the child;
there is excessive anxiety and concern about future motherhood;
periodically there is a feeling of tearfulness, irritation and moodiness;
state of weakness and apathy, constant feeling fatigue, a pregnant woman is unable to rest properly;
a feeling of guilt appears in everything, and it is groundless; a feeling of one’s own helplessness and uselessness arises;
is decreasing sexual attraction to a partner, which is why a woman is worried about thoughts that she has fallen out of love with her spouse;
there is a sharp change in weight, in any direction;
the feeling of apathy increases several times, suicidal thoughts arise.

All these symptoms should alert you, especially if they do not go away. long time. If this goes on longer three weeks, That Need help from a qualified psychologist. If you refuse help, the consequences can affect the health of both mother and child.

How to get rid of prenatal depression?

Support from loved ones

If a woman has been diagnosed with prenatal depression, then she needs to feel the support of loved ones, especially the father of her unborn child, as quickly as possible. Treatment may also be needed. The spouse should surround his other half with care and warmth to the maximum, helping her forget about all the problems and the upcoming birth.

Exists a large number of ways to help calm a pregnant woman. For example, shopping has a positive effect on her, but not the kind where you have to stand in lines, but the kind that brings joy and tranquility. Going to the store to buy children's things is considered especially useful for a woman. It is best to go there with your partner or friends, but this is a last resort. In any case, a woman should not be alone.

Active recreation and entertainment for the soul

The expectant mother should stress less and rest more often. Walking and reading have a calming effect. If a woman has any hobby, then she should pay more attention to it - this will distract her from neurosis. If the doctor allows, then You can also do water aerobics. Such activities are not only very calming, but are also considered useful.

Massage during pregnancy helps relieve pain in the legs and back, relaxes, calms the nerves, improves overall well-being and lifts your spirits. Before the birth of a baby, many married couples attend special courses that help them properly prepare for childbirth and make it easier to survive the pregnancy period. Effective in combating prenatal depression walks on fresh air, art therapy, Pilates, yoga.

Thanks to art therapy, girls get rid of negative emotions and find harmony with yourself. During Pilates or yoga classes, pregnant women learn to produce correct technique breathing and prepare your body for upcoming birth. In addition, such classes teach you to overcome various difficulties.

Intervention by specialists

If a pregnant woman's depression is prolonged, the doctor may prescribe antidepressants, but only as a last resort. Any medication taken during pregnancy must be agreed with the attending physician. By the way, drinking hot sweet chocolate, as well as bee honey, improves your mood, the main thing is that you are not allergic to such products.

Conclusion

Thus, prenatal depression is considered normal occurrence during pregnancy. During this difficult period, changes occur both physically and mentally. emotional state. But if depression lasts for a very long time and threatens the health of the expectant mother and the child, then in this case the help of a doctor is necessary.

Prenatal depression - what every woman needs to know Pregnancy is an exciting period for every woman. It is characterized by the emergence of a wide palette of sensations. Of course, the expectant mother is happy about the imminent appearance of the child, but not in all cases it can be said that this happiness is absolute. Sometimes there are situations when a woman feels completely unhappy. She blames herself for not feeling the happiness she deserves, and as a result, she sinks even more into depression...

Why does prenatal depression develop?

There are many factors that trigger the development of prenatal depression. Among them are diseases during pregnancy, stress life circumstances(eg, change of residence), previous lost or complicated pregnancies, past or present violence, financial difficulties and social instability. According to statistics, about eighty percent of prenatal depression is provoked by troubles in the family and discord in relations with the husband. A common cause of the development of prenatal depression is the personal characteristics of women. Young mothers are often afraid of their emotions and get lost in conflicting feelings. This is especially true at the moment when they are faced with the idealized concept of motherhood accepted in society. “Motherhood is a responsibility...”, “ good mother must…", " loving mother obliged...", etc.

Sometimes prenatal depression is caused by a pregnant woman's feelings about her sex life. The husband, concerned about the well-being of the mother and child, tries to disturb them as little as possible and restrains his sexual impulses. As a result, having sex becomes less frequent than before. The woman feels that she has fallen out of love, that her partner has lost interest in her. This leads to signs of depression.

Features of sexual life during pregnancy

During pregnancy, there are periods of decline and rise in sexual activity. So, for example, in the first three months, sexual desire often decreases somewhat. The reason for this is the peculiarities of the course of pregnancy and the presence of such signs of toxicosis as nausea, vomiting, intolerance to certain foods and odors. The changeable mood of a pregnant woman can lead to conflicts in the family. The woman has the feeling that things will only get worse.

However, this is not so, because already in the second trimester your health improves. Fears pass. The child begins to push and this lets you know that everything is fine with him. A rounded tummy looks very beautiful. Sex life “blooms” during pregnancy. In the third trimester, the belly increases significantly in size and sex becomes difficult. In addition, worries come again, but they are already associated with an imminent birth.

The truth about prenatal depression

According to statistics, every fourth pregnant woman experiences prenatal depression. This violation is dangerous not only for the woman herself, but also for her child. Pregnant women who have experienced prenatal depression have an increased risk of preterm pregnancy. This is explained by the fact that women who experienced depressive disorders, have a significant increase in the level of stress hormone in the blood. This hormone is known to be capable of triggering premature onset labor activity. That is why it is very important early detection prenatal depression and its timely correction. Especially because half of the women who experience it continue to suffer from depression after they give birth.

Signs of prenatal depression:

Reduced ability to work;
- decreased attention, inability to concentrate on any specific task;
- certain difficulties in decision making;
- increased anxiety and irritability;
- tearfulness;
- insomnia, sleep disorders not related to pregnancy;
- increased appetite, or vice versa, its absence;
- speed dial or weight loss unrelated to pregnancy;
- constant sadness or guilt;
- decreased interest in sexual relations;
- fear of being parents;
- thoughts of death and suicide.

It is too difficult for a pregnant woman to determine the presence or absence of these symptoms. Important role Her loved ones who are nearby (husband, parents, brothers, sisters, girlfriends) play in this.

Treatment of prenatal depression

The difficulty in treating this type of depression is that the list of medications and treatment methods for pregnant women is very limited. First of all, the relatives of a pregnant woman must create psychological and everyday comfortable conditions accommodation. You should talk openly with your spouse about problems. If independent conversations are ineffective, conversations can be moved to a psychotherapist’s office. Of the psychotherapeutic methods, the following have a positive effect: art therapy, auto-training, Gestalt therapy, psychoanalysis, etc. There is also information that light physical the load reduces the manifestations of prenatal depression and normalizes the course of pregnancy.

Prenatal depression can strike almost any woman in an “interesting” position. Pregnancy is a difficult and energy-consuming period in the life of an expectant mother awaiting the birth of her baby. No one is immune from the appearance of symptoms of fatigue, weakness, and apathy. However, you can effectively combat this difficult condition by knowing the causes, symptoms and treatments for prenatal depression.

Why can a pregnant woman experience depression?

Among the many factors influencing the course of pregnancy and the mood of the expectant mother, psychologists identify the following reasons:

The presence of intractable problems in the family related to the emotional situation, lack of support from relatives or a spouse, due to which prenatal depression appears.
Financial difficulties, as well as unstable, dysfunctional relationships with the father of the unborn child, have a negative impact on the health and mood of a pregnant woman.
An unhealthy lifestyle, irregular nutrition, and lack of an optimal daily routine allow you to quickly appear.
Smoking, alcohol, and psychotropic drugs also make a significant “contribution” to the development. Even if a pregnant woman smoked and drank strong alcohol six months to a year before conception, the risk of depression will be an order of magnitude higher than for those who consciously prepared for the role of a mother.
Among the factors that cause depression before childbirth, experts highlight the presence of stressful situations, instability at work, and lack of social support.
Doubts about the correctness of the decision to give birth to a child, the desire to save a dysfunctional and disintegrating family by any means possible through the birth of a baby can lead to serious adverse consequences. In this case, stress and internal conflicts, despite a generally happy event, are guaranteed. If there is no love and mutual understanding in the family, a woman can develop not only prenatal, but also postpartum depression.
Chronic and untreated diseases also do not contribute to a favorable pregnancy. Hormonal changes, increased load on the spine and internal organs lead to the appearance of numerous symptoms of emotional distress, which results in prolonged prenatal depression in pregnant women.

In what cases is specialist help needed?

The experience of each pregnancy is unique in its own way, but there are some that disturb a woman physically and emotionally. These symptoms are associated with a certain trimester, when unexpected mood swings occur, the level of sensitivity increases, and irritability appears.

You should not worry if these feelings do not last long without causing significant problems for you or your loved ones. It is necessary to pay serious attention only to the following alarming signs on the eve of childbirth, indicating that prenatal depression is taking place and needs to be dealt with:

Difficulty remembering, inability to concentrate, difficulty absorbing information;
Acute indecision in decision making;
Excessive anxiety about the current pregnancy, future motherhood;
Excessive irritability, tearfulness, a feeling of emotional devastation that is difficult to deal with;
Difficulty falling asleep, any sleep problems that did not bother you before pregnancy;
Constant fatigue, weakness even in the morning, inability to fully rest for a long time;
Unjustified feelings of guilt, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness;
Loss of interest in the intimate side of life, apparent cooling of one’s feelings towards one’s husband;
Sudden weight loss or rapid weight gain;
Significant changes in habits;
The appearance of disturbing thoughts about suicide, persistent and persistent.

If all these symptoms are noticed, we are talking about a pathological condition, whose name is prenatal depression. When the state of depression, anxiety, and emotional distress lasts more than three weeks, this means that you cannot do without qualified psychological help. If you ignore the problem and refuse to see a specialist, severe postpartum depression can negatively affect both the mother’s condition and the health of the child.

Treatment and help for loved ones

In solving such problems, the method of family or individual psychotherapy has proven itself to be excellent. Since the essence of the difficulties that arise is not related to the character traits of the spouses, but to an incorrect understanding of the difficult period of life and their roles, only a specialist can find the right solution and effectively help the family.

Depending on the degree of the disorder, prenatal depression is treated with the latest pharmacological drugs that are safe for the health of the expectant mother and child.

Only a doctor can select appropriate medications and determine acceptable doses of medications.

What can be done to prevent depression from occurring in the expectant mother or to go away very quickly? The most effective and efficient method of solving this psychological problem will be the sincere love and help of your spouse. A man, daily demonstrating to a woman his readiness to help, sharing with her all her problems and difficulties, taking part in the life of the family, provides powerful and invaluable support to the expectant mother. This helps create a favorable microclimate in the family, unites spouses, and enhances mutual love and affection.

A man can also accompany the expectant mother of his child to consultations with doctors, carefully ensuring that the environment in the house is as comfortable and calm as possible.

Don’t forget about simple, accessible joys - healthy sleep, proper nutrition, communication with friends, attending pleasant events. Fill your life with ordinary favorite activities, do not refuse to satisfy even the strangest desires. Sign up for a swimming pool or decoupage class, go for walks in parks and recreation areas, and do light exercise if your condition allows. Joy and a positive attitude will allow you to overcome any problems with dignity.

All these measures will help a woman effectively cope with temporary difficulties and maintain emotional balance!

At a certain period, any pregnant woman becomes whiny, irritable, and sad. Most often this is determined hormonal changes in her body, and not prenatal depression, but in some cases it is worth suspecting something was wrong.

The presence of prenatal depression in a woman may indicate following symptoms:

feeling of own uselessness,

guilt,

severe anxiety about the birth process,

excessive irritability,

constant fatigue

fear of becoming bad mom for the baby,

difficulties in making decisions,

difficulty remembering,

inability to concentrate,

constant depressed mood

sleep disorders unrelated to expecting a baby,

weight gain or loss not due to pregnancy,

loss of interest in sex.

Some of these symptoms can accompany even a very positive expectant mother, but the complex of such manifestations most often indicates serious problems when to contact a specialist - a psychologist or psychotherapist.

What is it caused by?

There are no clear reasons why some women experience antenatal depression, but there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of it occurring:

problems in family relationships(any difficulties in relationships with a partner can cause fear of loneliness and depression),

predisposition to depressive states(depression in the past or a family member with the problem),

negative memories associated with pregnancy (loss of a child or difficulties in childbirth),

pregnancy pathologies (if expecting a baby is complicated medical problems, may occur severe stress about his “defectiveness”),

lack of support from loved ones (when serious changes are coming, the support of others is necessary).

Any painful experience can lead to the development of prenatal depression., but it is important to track exactly what thought or situation is interfering with the baby’s normal expectations.

Why is it dangerous?

There is no objective data on how depression can affect the course of pregnancy and the future development of the child, since very few cases of treatment with similar problems to specialists. However, there is an opinion that a child from a depressed mother may have some deviations in mental development, predisposition to illness, as well as becoming repressed and emotionally closed in the future. Whether this is true or not, it is better not to find out from your own experience.

There is evidence that almost all women who experienced depressive moods during pregnancy similar conditions do not go away even after childbirth. Many patients who seek treatment after the birth of a baby psychological help, noted that the first symptoms appeared during pregnancy, i.e. more famous postpartum depression is in some way a continuation of prenatal depression.

How to cope?

To begin to solve a problem, you need to recognize and accept it. Next step You will need to contact a specialist or your doctor. It's better to talk about what's bothering you and try to understand why. Only in the most extreme cases does a doctor prescribe antidepressants to a pregnant woman. There are drugs that are quite harmless to the child, but no one will risk the health of expectant mothers and babies again.

At mild depression It’s worth visiting a psychotherapy group or working with a psychologist individually. Sometimes working through the past negative experience helps to completely get rid of problems, in other cases art therapy techniques are used, for still others meditative or trance techniques would be appropriate. As the work progresses, it will become clear whether this or that method is effective or not.

You can even do it yourself help yourself get out of prenatal depression:

You should always try to make sure that a woman’s main thought during pregnancy is awareness of the imminent birth of a beautiful baby. The joy of the fact that soon one of the most important and beloved people in the world will finally fall asleep next to you should drive away prenatal depression and restore the joy of life.