Antenatal depression

Antenatal depression is the occurrence of depressive illness during pregnancy. Its symptoms include:

• Waking early and having difficulty sleeping
• Feeling tired and lacking energy
• Crying a lot
• Reduced concentration
• Reduced appetite
• Getting no pleasure out of life
• Thoughts of self harm/suicide

As with postnatal depression, antenatal depression can occur at any time and is not specific to any stage of pregnancy. Most antenatal depression strikes in first time mothers.

It is thought antenatal depression occurs in some 10% of women (Cox and Holden, 1994), although some studies put this figure as high as 17% (Jofesson et. al, 2001).

Factors contributing to the develpoment of antenatal depression include:

• History of depression (family or personal)
• Stress e.g. breavement, moving house
• Pregnancy complications e.g.S.P.D. or Hyperemesis Gravidarum
• Infertility or prior miscarriage
• Abuse of any form, past or present

Treatment options include antidepressants which are safe to take in pregnancy, and counselling. Currently assessment of antenatal depression is not carried out by midwives, despite government recommendations to do so.

References:
www.mind.org.uk
www.depression-in-pregnancy.org.uk
www.babyworld.co.uk