How Depression During Pregnancy Can Affect Your Baby ?

Overview
1. Depression During Pregnancy
2. The Impact of Depression on the Baby 3. Causes of Depression during Pregnancy 4. Methods and Strategies for Handling Prenatal Depression 5. What do the Reports indicate? 6. References

Depression During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is supposed to be a happy time Many women suffer different ranges of depression during pregnancy.

Depressed Pregnant Women

14 to 23%
14 to 23 percent of pregnant women incur some symptoms of depression during pregnancy. (The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports)

Pregnant Women

The Impact of Depression on the Baby

Studies suggest Babies that are born to mothers who are depressed during pregnancy may have Decreased muscle tone and higher levels of stress hormones. 9 percent of children were developmentally delayed at 18 months of age. An increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction, low birth rate and preterm birth

Causes of Depression during Pregnancy

Nutritional deficiency Melancholic types of depression Non-melancholic types of depression

Inadequate amounts of folate, Iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E

Biochemical processes

Impact of environmental

Typical western diet

Genetic processes

Social and psychological stress

Methods and Strategies for Handling Prenatal Depression

Natural Ways Pharmacological Medications

Natural Ways
1. First lineup of treatment includes Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy or light therapy for mild depression.
2. Get adequate rest 3. Acupuncture 4. Herbal remedies 5. Bring to attention of doctors

Pharmacological medications for Clinical/Severe depression

All medications diffuse to the placenta. Since there is no psychotropic drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use during pregnancy.

Choosing to take pharmacological medications during pregnancy should always be done in close collaboration of a knowledgeable healthcare professional. Paroxetine use during pregnancy which is associated with ventricular septal and atrial ventricular defects. Studies completed to date reveal no increase in risk of major congenital malformations with antidepressants with the exception of Paroxetine.

References
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/depressionduringpregnancy.html Dr. Delia M. Vazquez of the University of Michigan School of Medicine study http://consumer.healthday.com/mental-health-information-25/depression-news176/depression-during-pregnancy-might-affect-baby-647314.html Study by University of Washington Study by University of the West of England http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18651886 According to the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Research by nurse practitioner Deepika Goyal of San Jose State University of Nursing

P.T.O.

http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/depression/inpregnancyp ostnatal/causesriskfactors.cfm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101209101352.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/

Thank You

The information presented here does not substitute the expertise of a medical practitioner so always consult the physician before starting any of the medical treatments stated above.