Pregnancy for women is different and presents different moods and emotional reactions. Not even two pregnancies by the same mother are the same. Some expecting moms have smooth pregnancies with little to no change in their moods and feelings. Others however, go through a lot of changes physically, emotionally and psychologically.
This godly act of carrying a child may sound like a dream, it can however lead to prenatal depression. According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are many factors that end up leading to prenatal depression on individuals.
The clinic states that one of the main factors is having a history (or family history) of mood disorders. During pregnancy, hormone levels shift, which can affect mood. Depression can result from an imbalance of chemical levels in the brain.
Many people also feel sad or anxious about changes happening to their bodies. They may experience pregnancy discomforts. They may have financial concerns and worry about taking on new responsibilities. For those with a higher risk of depression, these changes can be overwhelming.
Following are prenatal depression symptoms as per Cleveland Clinic.
- Anxiety, excessive worrying and irrational thoughts.
- Changes in appetite and unexplained weight loss or weight gain (not due to pregnancy).
- Decreased interest in activities you once enjoyed. Or withdrawing from friends, family and social interactions.
- Fatigue, sleeping more than usual, or difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep (insomnia).
- Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, numbness, “emptiness” or guilt.
- Irritability, excessive crying or other mood changes or mood swings.
- Loss of interest in sex and difficulty connecting with your partner.
- Physical symptoms that don’t result from a health condition or other cause. These may include headaches, muscle aches and gastrointestinal (GI) problems.
- Problems concentrating, remembering things, reasoning or making decisions.
Also see: Things to avoid doing during pregnancy
