Depression During Pregnancy – Why Does It Happen?

Depression during pregnancy is a common occurrence, but why do pregnant women suffer from this condition? Pregnancy is a time of enormous changes, both physical and mental, and while not every woman who gets pregnant will become depressed many will suffer from this problem. one cause is unrealistic expectations. Pregnancy is viewed as a time of joy and maternal bliss, and this is not always true. Expecting a baby can be stressful, and you may find that you have many concerns and doubts as your pregnancy progresses. Heredity can also play a role, because if you have a family history of depressed thoughts and behavior you are more at risk to develop this problem yourself. Sometimes pregnancy can cause this condition just because of the changes that are happening in the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. these natural chemicals are produced in your brain and help to regulate your mood, and if they become unbalanced this can lead to you feeling depressed and blue.

During pregnancy your hormone levels are constantly fluctuating, and this can lead to emotional outbursts and sadness. Estrogen will often act as a protective barrier to depression, and during pregnancy women have this hormone in abundance. but in some women, if this hormone level is high and so are the levels of the hormone progesterone, then they may become depressed. the later stages of pregnancy may also cause changes which may lead to stress and anxiety, including rapid and extreme physical changes.

During the last trimester of pregnancy many women find that they want it to be over, and they have difficulty with physical activities as well as sleeping and feeling comfortable. A lack of quality sleep can lead to depression, and so can having a negative image of yourself. during pregnancy you know that the physical changes are not permanent, but it may be hard to feel good about yourself or stay upbeat when it is hard to breathe, you can barely move, and you have not seen your feet in weeks. even something as simple as taking a shower may require help, and minor stress factors can become major issues.

Some women may experience pregnancy without any depression at all, or with minor symptoms that do not affect them in any noticeable way. Other women may end up being diagnosed as clinically depressed, if the symptoms of this condition last for two weeks or more. the biggest contributing factor to this condition during pregnancy is the levels of hormones and neurotransmitters that are present at any given time. Your brain chemistry is crucial to your mental outlook, and when this chemistry is not perfect then you may become depressed. the changes during pregnancy may contribute to an imbalance in these chemicals for some women, especially if you have other risk factors for this condition as well. There is no one specific factor that causes you to become depressed, but there is help available if you experience this condition during your pregnancy. Discuss your concerns with your obstetrician to find out what your options are.

Depression During Pregnancy - Why Does It Happen?

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