Pregnancy is a happy moment in a womans life. But, it is not always one where happiness brims over. According to The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( ACOG),
depression during and after pregnancy is prevalent among women. Depression could kick in to an estimated 14%-23% of women during pregnancy and between 5%-25% after giving birth.
Symptoms vary from woman to woman, but among the most common are feelings of anger, fear or guilt, lack of interest in the baby, change in appetite, sleep disorder, difficulty concentrating and or making decisions, and possible thoughts of harming the baby or oneself. In a lot of cases, these symptoms are regarded lightly as just hormonal imbalance as a result of pregnancy.
Depression is a biological illness that involves changes in brain chemistry. If not treated properly, this could progress into a condition that would negatively affect both the mother and the baby. If disregarded, it may lead to more serious problems for both the mother and the baby. Research studies have indicated that women who are depressed are likely to turn to smoking and drugs. Also, serious depression during pregnancy could result to preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight . Studies revealed that untreated maternal depression produced negative effects on an infant's cognitive, neurologic, and motor skill development, and can also negatively impact mental health and behavior of older children.
The first line of treatment for depression includes psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. 'Treatment of depression is mainly focused on psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. However, other forms of treatment such as bright morning light therapy, acupuncture, and exercise are being considered to expand therapeutic options. ACOG stresses the importance of screening pregnant women for depression to ensure proper treatment and care of the well-being of both the mother and the baby.
Most pregnant women prefer a non-drug treatment option for their depression, though they are at times, made to choose the lesser of two evils. Would the benefits of antidepressant outweigh its risks on the baby? Or should they forgo drug medication and risk a relapse? Medical practitioners consider the risks of antidepressants lower in most pregnancies than the risks of inadequate or non-treatment of depression.
Various research and studies abound regarding the effectivity and safety of antidepressants. Many remain skeptical over the benefits outweighing the side effects of such drugs. Mitchell Mathis, M.D., deputy director of the Division of Psychiatry Products at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that approximately 60 to 70 percent among patients respond to the first antidepressant prescribed to them. Certain antidepressants though pose serious risks to pregnant women. An advisory issued by FDA affirmed studies revealing the serious side effects associated with Paxil taken during pregnancy. The advisory was issued due to positive evidence of Paxil birth defects which triggered the agency to change the drugs risk category from C to D.
