Home > Common Issues During Pregnancy > Depression During Pregnancy
Depression during pregnancy or antepartum depression is a mood disorder just like clinical depression. Most women want to feel happy during their pregnancy.
They want to be glowing with happiness at the thought of having a baby. Many women who start feeling the symptoms of depression often feel guilty. Due to the body changes occurring during this period it’s normal to feel depressed. |
Experts used to believe that pregnancy hormones were the leading cause of depression during pregnancy. Lately new studies have shown that the increasing estrogen and progesterone levels contribute to signs of depression. |
The hormones are increasingly so rapidly it disrupts the brain chemistry. Depression can appear anytime during the first, second, and third trimester.
Prenatal Depression occurs to 10% to 15% of women it’s very common to postnatal depression (PPD).
There are many risk factors for women suffering from depression. They are also more prone to postpartum depression and other risk include:
Yes, depression during pregnancy can affect the baby in the following ways:
It you find yourself having three or more of the symptoms above for more than two weeks it might be a sign of having clinical depression. It’s highly recommended you seek medical attention right away. |
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Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or another mental health provider. During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors.
Antidepressant Medications
If you’re experiencing severe depression during pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants.
Another common drug used to fight depression is Bupropion.
Alternative Treatments for dealing with depression during pregnancy
Acupuncture: is a form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) involving thin needles inserted into the body at acupuncture points.
Light Therapy: Bright light therapy can help treat symptoms of major depression.
Before taking any medication during pregnancy, it’s important to speak with your physician. Not all antidepressants are recommended for pregnant women. Certain drugs can increase the chances of miscarriage or stillbirth.
Depression during pregnancy is quite common is anywhere from 14% to 23% experience the symptoms.
The ICD-9 codes used for indicating depression are
296.2, 296.3 while its ICD-10 codes are F32, F33.
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