Is it normal to be depressed while pregnant

You may need to stay an extra day or two in the hospital so that they can be sure. Breastfeeding provides many health benefits for babies. It also helps mothers and babies bond. If you are taking antidepressants, small amounts will come out through your breast milk. But studies have shown that children exposed to these drugs through breast milk have not had problems. Even if you are taking antidepressants, you can breastfeed your baby for as long as you wish. Stopping an antidepressant during breastfeeding may cause the depression to return.

There is not enough information about St. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking any herbal products. If you are feeling any of the symptoms listed above, it is very important to tell someone.

The early days of taking care of a new baby can be hard. Find a friend, family member or someone else you trust who can look after your baby for short periods while you get a break. If people offer help, accept it. There are many support programs for new mothers. Talk to your doctor, nurse, midwife, or contact your local public health office for a listing of services in your area. Last updated: July Depression in pregnant women and mothers: How it affects you and your child Depression is an illness that affects the way people think, act and feel.

What are the signs of depression? Smith explains. Marian Earls. If your screening shows you have anxiety or depression during pregnancy, don't worry—there are safe ways to treat these common conditions.

It can be tricky to diagnose mood disorders during pregnancy because "some of the symptoms can overlap with symptoms of pregnancy , such as changes in appetite, energy levels , concentration, or sleep," Dr. Smith says. The symptoms of anxiety during pregnancy vary by type of disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive order , and panic disorder.

Doctors once thought that all of those hormones rushing around a woman's body during pregnancy would shield her from depression. We now know that for some moms-to-be, the opposite is true. But while experts agree that hormones play a role in depression, the exact mechanisms are unknown. Marcus says. Anyone can experience anxiety and depression during pregnancy, but women with these risk factors are especially susceptible:.

Risks to developing babies whose mothers have untreated prenatal mental health issues include:. Experts agree that depression and anxiety require medical attention. But deciding how to treat them in pregnancy is a real challenge, particularly in more severe cases.

We outlined some medicinal and non-medicinal approaches here. Share on Pinterest. Shame prevented me from getting help. It was time to get help. Bottom line. Parenthood Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications. Written by Caroline Shannon-Karasik on June 26, The Best Pregnancy Blogs of Read this next.

Perinatal Depression. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

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Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Committee Opinion No. O'Connor E, et al. Primary care screening for and treatment of depression in pregnant and postpartum women.