Depression In Pregnant Women
It s one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy.
Depression in pregnant women. This can be attributed to major hormonal changes. The condition occurs twice as often in women as in men and the initial onset of depression peaks during a woman s reproductive years. Depression is a mood disorder that affects 1 in 4 women at some point during their lifetime so it should be no surprise that this illness can also touch women who are pregnant. But some women will find themselves struggling with depression during that time.
Rates might be higher in low and middle income countries. But all too often depression is not diagnosed properly during pregnancy because people think it is just another type of hormonal imbalance. According to the american congress of obstetricians and gynecologists acog between 14 23 of women will struggle with some symptoms of depression during pregnancy. Perinatal depression is depression that happens during pregnancy or in the first year after having a baby.
Depression during pregnancy isn t something you can just shake off according to the american college of obstetricians and gynecologists acog and the american psychiatric association apa. You will be surprised to learn that many medical studies have concluded that every one in four pregnant women will go through depression during pregnancy. Symptoms of postpartum depression. You may be less.
Research suggests that about 7 of pregnant women experience depression during pregnancy. Depression a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest is the most common mood disorder in the general population. Stress related to pregnancy can contribute to the return or worsening of depression symptoms. Feelings of postpartum depression are more intense and last longer than those of baby blues a term used to describe the worry sadness and tiredness many women experience after having a baby.
It affects up to 1 in 7 women about 15 percent. Up to 14 percent of pregnant women may have major depressive disorder a condition characterized by feelings of dread gloom and hopelessness and a loss of interest in normally pleasurable activities. In fact the american congress of obstetricians and gynecologists acog reports that approximately 14 23 percent of women may suffer from depressive symptoms while pregnant. Depression can get in the way of being able to care for yourself during your pregnancy.
It s common for women to develop the first signs of postpartum depression ppd during pregnancy. Postpartum depression is depression that occurs after having a baby. It includes postpartum depression also called ppd which is depression that happens after pregnancy.