Depression during Pregnancy

Ask any mom, and she’ll tell you that being pregnant comes with its ups and downs.  I’ve been lucky.  I have one healthy, beautiful little girl who gave me few problems during pregnancy, and am now expecting another little girl who is doing well so far.  But again, I’ve been lucky.  Most people talk about pregnancy as being the “happiest time in a woman’s life”, but let’s be honest, sometimes it’s not. 

There is a new study out on depression in pregnant women.  It’s from the University of Michigan and shows that stress, anxiety, and a history of depression can boost a woman’s risk of developing depression during pregnancy.  In fact, anywhere from 10% to 20% of pregnant mothers suffer from depression, and this can lead to problems for both mom and baby.  There are treatments to consider such as therapy, support groups and medication.  Dr. Stuart Jones, an OB/GYN at Specialists in OB/GYN of Columbus, says there are medications that are safe to take while pregnant, and that is something to discuss with your doctor.  I know many women are worried about taking medications while pregnant, but there are some that are safe, and Dr. Jones says it is critical to make sure mom is taking care of herself.  If mom isn’t healthy, baby isn’t healthy!  :)

I’ve chatted with friends about this, and it really is more common that you’d expect.  There is a lot of information these days on postpartum depression, but again, we seem to paint this perfect picture of pregnancy, and sometimes it’s not.  Have you experienced depression during or following pregnancy?  What worked for you?  Feel free to share your thoughts, advice, or support.

Ellie