Signs And Symptoms Of Pregnancy Depression

Pregnancy depression is not something that you can just “shake off”. This should be one of the most joyful times of your life. However, for many expecting moms their pregnancy is full of fear, stress, anxiety, and sadness.

According to The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), between 14-23% of women will struggle with some symptoms of depression during pregnancy.

When I was pregnant with my first I was on cloud 9! I felt amazing, I was happy, calm, and loved being pregnant. This was not the same for my second pregnancy.

It is easy to think that the emptiness and sadness that you are feeling is due to morning sickness, tiredness, food aversions, and any other first trimester symptoms.

Before getting pregnant with my second baby I thought that my next pregnancy would be the same or possibly even better than my first. I looked forward to being pregnant again.

Early on in my second pregnancy I had terrible morning sickness that lasted me all day, acid reflux, heart burn, and major food aversions. I was unable to clean the house, make dinner and even be a mom to my daughter.

I kept thinking to myself “all of this will go away in my second trimester”

Luckily, my doctor perscribed me Zofran (thank goodness!) and I was at least able to get through my day without throwing up. However, I still was not feeling right inside. I felt off and different.

I was unmotivated, quick to become angry, distant, sad, spacey, and extremely tired. There was no joy or happiness I would try to act happy but I was not feeling happy inside.

My husband would ask me if I was “okay” 4-5 times a day because he knew I was not being myself. He has always been very supportive especially during this time. I kept telling my husband, my friends, family and myself that I was fine and it’s probably just pregnancy hormones.

Pregnancy depression is often not diagnosed properly due to exactly what I thought ” it’s just pregnancy hormones”. Pregnancy depression can be very dangerous for mom and baby. In that case here are some signs and symptoms of pregnancy depression.

Signs And Symptoms Of Pregnancy Depression

Expecting mammas with pregnancy depression will usually experience some or all of these symptoms for 2 or more weeks.

I experience multiple of these symptoms for 2 and a half months. So I knew something was up. If you have any of these symptoms below PLEASE talk to your doctor ASAP!

• Persistent sadness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Loss of interest in activities that you usually enjoy
• Recurring thoughts of death, suicide, or hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Change in eating habits

During pregnancy women’s bodies are changing 180 degrees in order to support the growth and development of their baby. Because of the hormonal changes that an expecting mother body is going through it can affect chemical changes in the brain. Which are related to depression and anxiety. Therefore leading to pregnancy depression.

Is there any treatment for pregnancy depression? The answer is a big fat YES!

If you feel like you may be struggling with pregnancy depression don’t wait any longer to get help! Talk with your doctor about what you have been feeling and what your symptoms are. They are there to help you!

Your doctor will let you know of some treatment options. Here are a list of some below:

• Support groups
• Private psychotherapy
• Bright light therapy
• Medication
• Reduce stress

Are there safe medications I can take?

I am no doctor. First, talk to your doctor and depending on how severe your pregnancy depression is they may prescribe you something. If you do not have severe pregnancy depression your doctor may want to you get involved in support groups and use other alternatives.

I was never “diagnosed” with pregnancy depression by a doctor although I had all the signs and symptoms of it. I discovered that I had pregnancy depression due to feeling so guilty for not being myself and at a family party my sweet sister asked me how I was feeling and I poured out to her what I have been feeling.

To my surprise she said ” I struggled with all of that with both of my pregnancies!” I felt a large weight being lifted of my shoulders because I was not alone. My own sister had felt the same things I had been struggling with for 2 and half months.

My sister sent me a list of what she took. She said once she started taking these there was a big light switch that flipped on. The next day I hopped onto Amazon and purchased what she took and they have completely changed my life!

I noticed a change in myself in one day. I was starting to feel like myself again and happy to finally be enjoying my pregnancy.

Here is a list of what I took and are currently taking:

Garden of Life EPA Omega 3 Fish Oil 

This one helps me so much with my mood! I am not angry, stressed or grouchy which I was before! I am so much happier and I don’t have dips of happiness and sadness as I had before taking this. My mood made a big shift to how it was before.

NOW True Calm

This is another one I am taking. I noticed such a quick and big difference with True Calm. It is what it says! When I take this one I feel very zen and calm. Things that really got under my skin before don’t bother me as much. I take this one first thing ever morning that way my day goes well!

NOW GABA

I am actually not taking this one. This is one you can also take along with the others. This one my sister took too and it really helped her. I was doing much better with the first two so I didn’t see a need to take this one. But I still recommend you give it a try!

I know how hard and difficult each day is with pregnancy depression. I am glad I got help when I did and that I didn’t have to suffer any longer.

You don’t have to either! My biggest struggle was feeling guilty for feeling the way I did and I was hoping It would go away on it’s own. As I said in the beginning pregnancy depression is not something you can “shake off”. If you are struggling with pregnancy depression talk to your doctor now!