Prenatal Depression: Signs, Origins, and Remedies
Antepartum depression, also known as perinatal depression, is a mood disorder that can occur during pregnancy. This condition affects women worldwide, and it's essential to understand its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Antepartum depression is influenced by complex interactions between trauma history, psychosocial stressors, biological vulnerabilities, and social environment factors.
Women with a history of trauma, especially experiencing three or more traumatic events, have a significantly increased risk of developing depression during pregnancy. Childhood abuse, in particular, is a strong predictor, likely due to long-lasting changes in stress regulation systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is already challenged during pregnancy.
Psychosocial factors such as low socioeconomic status, low educational attainment, unintended or high-risk pregnancies, inadequate social support, and dissatisfaction with living conditions increase the likelihood of antepartum depression. Lack of social support, in particular, is a key risk factor, as is marital dissatisfaction, which reflects relationship distress.
A personal or family history of depression also increases vulnerability to depression during pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly involving cortisol and other stress hormones, may dysregulate mood and contribute to depression in susceptible women.
Pregnancy-related stress, including anxiety about the physical changes and impending life adjustments, may trigger or exacerbate depression. Feeling isolated or lacking confiding relationships is linked to higher depression risk during pregnancy.
Other factors such as smoking, substance abuse, and inadequate prenatal care, often associated with depression, may also negatively impact pregnancy outcomes and relate to depression during pregnancy.
If a person experiences symptoms of depression during pregnancy, they should consider speaking with a healthcare professional or a licensed mental health professional. Symptoms of antepartum depression are similar to those of major depressive disorder and may include irritability, fatigue, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.
Treatment for antepartum depression can include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two. Pregnancy treatment with medication may involve several antidepressants, such as sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), bupropion (Wellbutrin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Scores from the screening can help healthcare professionals diagnose antepartum depression. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends screening people for depression and anxiety symptoms at least once during pregnancy.
It's important to note that there is no clear reason why a person may develop antepartum depression, and it can affect people of any age, race, ethnicity, or income level. A person may not seek help for depression during pregnancy due to societal or family expectations to feel happy.
Antepartum depression can lead to complications such as postpartum depression, preeclampsia, low birth weight, preterm labor, cesarean delivery, and learning disabilities in babies. If a person has thoughts of suicide or self-harm or is worried about someone else who may be having these thoughts, they should call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately at 988.
A strong social support system can help improve a person's mental health during pregnancy, suggesting that the lack of a strong social network may increase a person's risk of developing antepartum depression. In a study of 1,745 pregnant women in Nigeria, the prevalence rate of antepartum depression was 14.1%.
Psychotherapy for antepartum depression may include cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression during pregnancy, it's crucial to seek help and prioritise mental health.
- Pregnancy-related stress, such as anxiety about physical changes and impending life adjustments, can serve as a trigger or exacerbator for depression during pregnancy.
- Pfizer's antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft) may be used as a treatment for antepartum depression, along with other medications like citalopram (Celexa), bupropion (Wellbutrin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
- A strong social support system, which includes confiding relationships, can improve a person's mental health during pregnancy and potentially reduce the risk of developing antepartum depression.
