To get pregnant and have a baby is a blessing that every woman desires. Pregnancy is considered a time which is associated with joy and happiness. But this may not be the case with all pregnant women. One out of every ten pregnant may face depression during pregnancy. Depression during pregnancy is caused by the various hormonal changes which bring about chemical changes in the brain resulting in depression during pregnancy. Women most often ignore this depression and think it is due to the rapid mood changes but if you feel depressed then do not hesitate to discuss it with your doctor. Depression during pregnancy can keep you from taking proper care of both the developing baby and yourself. Depression during pregnancy should be treated as an illness and this illness can be treated. The first step for treating this illness is to acknowledge it and seek help.

To be able to differentiate between the normal mood changes and depression during pregnancy one has to be familiar with the symptoms of this illness. The symptoms of depression during pregnancy are very similar to the symptoms of clinical depression which is also caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. A pregnant woman who is facing depression does not enjoy the usual things as before. She sleeps either too much or too little and also has difficulty in concentrating on things. Like all other depression patients women suffering from depression during pregnancy also lose their appetite. Depression during pregnancy is associated with suicidal thoughts, feelings of worthlessness, and hopelessness. Depression during pregnancy can also lead to symptoms of anxiety and restlessness.

A woman becomes very emotional and sensitive during pregnancy and if she has faced difficult problems in life it is very likely that she will experience depression during pregnancy. Infertility treatment, previous miss carriage and history of depression in family are also triggers for depression during pregnancy. Women who have been in bad or abusive relationships also feel the symptoms of depression during pregnancy.

To prevent or treat depression during pregnancy, it is important to take care of yourself. Do not take any medicine just because your friend took it while she was pregnant, go to a doctor and give them your detailed medical and personal history. If there are any life events that caused you pain and disturbance, be open about them. It is very important for your health and for proper development of the unborn child that you do not develop depression during pregnancy and even if you do develop it then get proper treatment. There are many treatment options available for women who are facing depression during pregnancy. Some of these treatment options for depression during pregnancy include support groups, light therapy, private psychotherapy and medication. Support groups and therapy sessions are best for women who are suffering from mild symptoms of depression during pregnancy but those with frank depression have to take medications. There are a lot of debates on the issue whether these medications which are used to treat depression during pregnancy have negative side effects or not. Medicines do reach the baby and these antidepressant medications have adverse effects on the newborn according to latest researches. It is best to consult your physician and have detailed information about the antidepressants before using them to treat depression during pregnancy.