Pregnancy and Depression

Depression is one of the most common complications during and after pregnancy.

Depression during and after pregnancy can be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most people, pregnant or not, feel this way at one time or another.  However, true clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere, over an extended period, with your everyday life.  Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Depression is one of the most common problems associated with pregnancy.  Depression during pregnancy, called perinatal depression, is frequently not recognized or treated because pregnancy itself causes changes like fatigue, problems sleeping, stronger emotional reactions, and changes in body weight and these problems are typically seen as normal accompaniments to pregnancy.  However, what appears to be normal symptoms can also be signs of a true clinical depression.

Depression that occurs only after pregnancy is called postpartum depression. A birth mother should not just "endure" either perinatal depression or postpartum depression.   You should consult with your health care professional so that they can help you with your depression. 

For additional information visit the link Depression During and After Pregnancy on our adoption agency website.

Depression and Birth Fathers notes that a birth father can be affected by the birth mother's depression and he may also suffer from depression.  Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a serious illness that impacts the entire family.  Without effective intervention it can cause great suffering and serious damage to families.

If you need additional information or assistance with depression issues, please click the link depression, and please feel free contact us.