Pregnancy and Depression
Pregnancy and depression unfortunately occur together often. Between 10% and 20% of pregnant women will experience depression. Depression after pregnancy is called post-partum depression, and is also often called the baby blues. This pregnancy can be serious and really interfere with a mother’s bonding with her child. But depression that occurs during pregnancy can be potentially serious, too. In fact, a depressed pregnant woman may be at higher risk for developing post-partum depression if she doesn’t get depression treatment during the pregnancy.
Depression is a mental illness that can strike anyone at anytime. But the hormones and changes during pregnancy in addition to other things can help bring the mental disorder on. Pregnancy and depression will often occur when the relationship suffers because of the pregnancy. If there are problems in a marriage or a couple during the time of the pregnancy, depression is more likely. If the woman has had a miscarriage in the past, pregnancy and depression can affect each other. And if the pregnancy comes after infertility treatments, the combination of pregnancy and depression is more likely, probably because of the intense hormonal therapy. Unfortunately, the hormonal changes and the mood swings that sometimes result can keep depression during pregnancy from being diagnosed properly. If you’re pregnant and depressed please call Sunset Malibu at 1-800-332-9202.
Dangers of Pregnancy and Depression
Pregnancy and depression, if the depression is mild and short-lived, isn’t a huge cause for concern. But between 25% and 50% of the women who experience pregnancy and depression will have serious depression. And this type of depression needs to be treated. Serious depression can even risk the health of the baby, or raise the risk of miscarrying the child. People who are seriously depressed don’t tend to take care of themselves as well as other people. Some people, when they’re seriously depressed, turn to things to self-medicate. Drinking, smoking or doing drugs are ways many seriously depressed people choose to cope. With pregnancy and depression, these methods for feeling better can do irreversible damage to an unborn child. They can cause premature birth, low birth weight and developmental problems.
Pregnancy and depression can even be a fatal mix if some behavior brought on by the depression causes pregnancy loss. And if the depression continues after the pregnancy as post-partum depression, it can do serious damage to the mother’s relationship with her baby. A depressed mother doesn’t care for her baby as well as a woman who didn’t experience pregnancy and depression. So if you’re suffering from pregnancy and depression, you need to seek treatment right away to prevent these potential problems. Call Sunset Malibu today at 1-800-332-9202 to experience our pregnancy and depression program for yourself.
Not Just the Baby Blues
Though the baby blues is the name commonly given to post-partum depression, it can be used for pregnancy and depression, too. It’s an inaccurate term, and it makes the depression sound too innocent. This is a shame, especially when the depression can be so damaging. If nothing else, feeling depressed while pregnant can turn something that should have been wonderful into something that wasn’t. For most women, pregnancy is a wonderful time of life with great memories and anticipation. For someone with pregnancy and depression, it becomes a painful memory and can even cause serious feelings of guilt for not being happy when they “should” have been.
At Sunset Malibu, we can help treat your pregnancy and depression problems. We understand that the health of your baby is your utmost concern, and won’t prescribe anything that could be potentially harmful. And we also understand that you don’t want to feel this way during what should be a wonderful time. We’ll create a personalized pregnancy and depression treatment plan just for you. No two people are alike, so no two cases of pregnancy and depression will be exactly alike. Our individualized treatment plan takes your specific needs into consideration and gives you a better chance at success. Call Sunset Malibu today at 1-800-332-9202.
Pregnancy and Depression Effects
One of the more common causes of depression during pregnancy is complications during the pregnancy. This makes perfect sense. When you’re feeling happy about the pregnancy and something goes wrong, it can certainly cause you to feel nervous and depressed. You may feel worried and sad, not knowing what might happen. If the depression lasts for more than a couple of weeks or gets worse, you should seek treatment for it. Don’t let it, no matter how justified, steal any good feelings you have about the pregnancy.
People with a family history of depression are also more likely to get depressed while pregnant than those without that history. So nothing need go wrong with the pregnancy at all for it to strike you. It’s not your fault. You’ve done nothing to bring it on. It’s simply hereditary and genetic. But you don’t have to suffer with it. Come to Sunset Malibu in Malibu, California, and enjoy a luxury stay in our facility. We pamper our residents so that all they have to worry about is getting well. And what better time is there to be pampered than when you’re pregnant? You’ll be able to focus on healing for your and your baby’s sake. You can enjoy safe and fun activities, get spa treatments, massages and nutritious gourmet meals. To experience this luxury, call us at 1-800-332-9202.
Avoiding Post-Partum Depression
Treating the depression you feel during your pregnancy can help prevent post-partum depression. While you may feel bad about being depressed while you’re pregnant, it will only feel worse to feel depressed after the baby is born. During those crucial early days and weeks when mother and baby bond, people with post-partum depression have little interest in doing so. It’s a difficult time for both the mother and family and friends who see the disinterest and don’t understand that it’s a mental disorder and not a willing rejection of the child. Avoid this new pain of depression and get treatment and Sunset Malibu now.
For additional information on Pregnancy and Depression, please visit our main Depression Treatment Center page or call us at 1-800-332-9202 any time.