Women Pregnancy

Depression during pregnancy can contribute to prematurity and low birth weight in infants. New studies at the University of Michigan Depression Center find that a majority of pregnant women who have full-blown depression are not getting appropriate treatment for it, even pregnant women with mild depression are not getting any treatment. Without adequate treatment — medication, talk therapy, or both together — prenatal and post-partum depression can seriously impact both women and their babies.

The findings come from a study of 1,837 pregnant women who were surveyed in the waiting rooms of five Michigan obstetrics clinics, using a standard questionnaire that detects signs of depression. Only one in three of these women were being treated for their depression.
All of these women had follow-up interviews with trained mental health workers who assessed them using the standard criteria used to diagnose depression, and asked them about their mental health and treatment history.
Study investigators report no significant differences among women of different races, ethnicities, employment situations, education levels, marital status, or parental situation. The only factors that were found to increase a woman’s chance of treatment were severe symptoms at the time of the study, a history of major depression and a history of any psychiatric treatment.

Pregnant women who are experiencing depression may think their symptoms are just a normal part of pregnancy. But in fact, the following signs may indicate symptoms of depression:
* Two or more weeks of a depressed mood
* Decreased interest in activities
* Change in appetite
* Change in sleep patterns
* Fatigue
* Difficulty concentrating
* Excessive feelings of worthlessness or guilt
* Thoughts of suicide
* Extreme irritability

This suggests that women who are already accustomed to accessing the mental health system may be most likely to do so if they experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy, while other women may not recognize their symptoms – or may not know, or believe, that they can get help from a mental health provider.
Pregnant women who are experiencing possible signs of depression, or who have a history of depression, should talk to their doctors or midwives immediately. Medications, talk therapy, stress reduction, exercise and other steps can help ease depression safely during pregnancy and beyond.