When Depression Takes Over Your Pregnancy

As a pregnant woman, if you frequently feel down and have lost interest in daily activities, chances are that you are suffering from depression. According to the obstetricians in India, depression affects 14% to 23% of the pregnancies.
Obstetrics and gynecology care providers liken depression to the normal signs and symptoms that women encounter during pregnancy like anxiety, fatigue and lack of concentration which is why diagnosing depression during pregnancy is particularly difficult.
Obstetricians in India state that recognizing the signs of depression is easier in women who have suffered from depression in previous pregnancies. Depression affects women who are unaware of their depression more negatively as compared to those pregnant women who are well aware of their condition.
What Is Depression Of Pregnancy?
Depression of pregnancy, also known as antepartum depression, is a mood disorder that affects the pregnant women. It is caused by changes in the brain chemistry that occur as a result of hormonal changes taking place within the body during pregnancy.
Obstetricians in India have implicated the release of chemicals in brain's neuronal pathways as a result of hormonal imbalance during pregnancy as the cause of depression. The triggering factors for depression include relationship problems, family or personal history of depression, use of oral contraceptives, previous loss of pregnancy, stressful events like financial stress, and history of trauma or abuse.
How to know if you are suffering from depression?
According to the obstetricians in India, depression can be easily differentiated from normal symptoms of pregnancy. The signs of depression include

• Persistent feeling of sadness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep too much or too little
• Loss of interest in daily life activities
• Eating too little or too much
• Anxiety
• Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
• Recurring suicidal or self-harming thoughts

How to Deal With Depression during Pregnancy?

You can talk to one of the gynecologists in India to discuss your signs and symptoms and the management of depression during pregnancy. If for some reason, you cannot meet the gynecologist in person, you can ask a gynecologist online about your condition by downloading the gynecologist's personalized mobile app that provides you with the ease of remote consultation. These apps also take care of your billing problems.
The obstetricians in India recommend adopting simply, non-medical measures to deal with depression. Following are some of the remedial measures to cope with depression. 

• Exercise helps relieve depressive symptoms by causing the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for mood elevation.  Simple aerobic exercises are quite beneficial.
• Eat healthy foods like fresh vegetables and fruits to combat depression.
• Meditation, yoga and breathing exercises are particularly effective for depression.
• Seeking help from your partner, friends and family helps cope with depression. 
• Support groups help address your depressive symptoms through peer support.

Some of the best gynecologists and obstetricians recommend alternative treatment modalities for depression.

• Psychotherapy is hailed as one of the most effective treatments for depression.
• Acupuncture is known to alleviate the signs and symptoms of depression.

Some of the obstetricians in India will ask you to book an appointment at the clinic for consultation sessions and will prescribe certain anti-depressants. The obstetricians in India hail these anti-depressant drugs as completely safe for use during pregnancy.
It is imperative that you take charge of your condition in time to avoid the harmful effects of depression on your and your baby's health.