Emotional Health Having a Baby – Pregnancy Edyta Wasiluk

The popular image is that pregnant women are happy, serene and content, but for some women pregnancy can be a time of stress, anxiety and depression.

The main points of my presentation: Who's affected? What are the effects? Feelings towards your baby Getting a diagnosis What's the treatment?

The biggest UK study so far on depression in pregnancy found the peak time for experiencing such problems was at 32 weeks, when 13.5 per cent of women scored highly on tests for depression. It's also clear that many women experience stress, anxiety and other forms of emotional distress during pregnancy. Some women are depressed or anxious already, and this may continue or re-emerge when they become pregnant. Who's affected?

What are the effects? If a woman is very anxious during pregnancy, it increases the risk of her baby developing behavioural problems later in life. Heightened maternal anxiety can also affect the stress response of the baby because stress hormones cross the placenta. Depression during and after pregnancy may increase the risk of the mother having problems bonding with her baby. The possible effect on your baby is one of the reasons your mental health during pregnancy should be taken seriously and treatment offered where necessary.

Feelings towards your baby Pregnancy can be daunting, whether or not it was planned, and some women have negative thoughts about being a mother. Having a baby is a massive change in your life and feeling love for someone you've never met is a challenge. If you have a symptom of depression or anxiety it will help you if you share them with a midwife or doctor you feel comfortable with.

Your midwife or GP should ask questions about how you're feeling mentally at each antenatal visit. Your midwife or doctor should ask two questions, using words similar to these: During the past month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless? During the past month, have you often been bothered by having little interest or pleasure in doing things? If you answer 'yes' to either of these questions, you'll be asked if you want to seek help. Getting a diagnosis

What's the treatment? There's no definitive answer as to whether women with antenatal depression should be given antidepressants. There hasn't been a lot of research into the effects of medication on the health of the unborn baby, or whether it affects labour and birth. One report, published in 2007, suggests the use of antidepressants is linked to lower birth weights and an increased risk of preterm birth. Women who are depressed in pregnancy should be offered self-help or talking therapies, including counselling. If the depression becomes worse or doesn't respond to such treatments, antidepressants can be considered.

Summary Having a baby is a massive change in your life. If you have a symptom of depression or anxiety it will help you if you share them with a midwife or doctor you feel comfortable with. The possible effect on your baby is one of the reasons your mental health during pregnancy should be taken seriously and treatment offered where necessary.

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