Prenatal depression is not as widely discussed as its counterpart postnatal depression. It affects between 15 to 23% of the women, when they hear the news of their pregnancy. Although pregnancy is supposed to be a happy period some mothers to be are sad, confused and angry. Mood disorders occur because of a change in the brain chemistry.  During pregnancy hormonal changes seen with postnatal depression symptoms occur and mood disorders set in.  There are no definite causes of prenatal depression. Possible signs and triggers can be used to determine if a woman is going through prenatal depression. Some of the signs that point out towards prenatal depression are:- •    State of persistent sadness •    Difficulty in sleep and concentration, •    Loss of interest in pleasurable activities •    Thoughts of helplessness, suicide, guilt •    Anxiety •    Changes in eating habits like over eating or under eating. Prenatal Depression Triggers There are some possible triggers which can be attributed as causes of prenatal depression. For example, relationship issues between couples often cause depression and this can enhance during pregnancy. A family history of depression or a prenatal depression during a previous pregnancy can be another cause. If the pregnancy is complicated or if there is a history of family trauma and financial constraints too can contribute to depression. Prenatal Depression Information Prenatal depression needs to be treated because it can harm the baby and the mother. Women if left untreated may complicate her pregnancy by drinking, smoking or eating less which ...

Prenatal depression includes a range of mood swings experienced by 15 to 20 per cent of the women. Having a baby is a joyous occasion yet, some women go through anxiety and sadness. For some women these feelings persist and they need to consult a doctor, while in other women these feelings go away in a couple of weeks. Symptoms of Prenatal Depression Prenatal depression symptoms may include feeling of sadness, wanting to cry, tiredness, loss of enjoyment of activities which the woman enjoyed earlier, anxiety, loss of appetite etc. Prenatal depression makes women flustered. They wonder why they feel so low instead of feeling ecstatic. Sometimes the very thought of child birth terrifies women. Research says it is common for woman who feels prenatal depression to also feel postnatal depression. While there is a lot of talk about post natal depression, prenatal depression is less discussed and it goes unnoticed. Hormones While hormones are generally blamed for this condition, the prenatal depression symptoms can intensify if the pregnancy is not planned, or there are relationship issues and financial strains on the couple. Antidepressant drugs during pregnancy are not good for the baby. Hence alternative treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy that works towards changing the behavioral patterns are considered. Herbal Supplements for Depression There are herbal supplements for prenatal depression. They have no side effects as they are made from natural ingredients extracted from plants and flowers and roots. The Kava- Kava root has relaxing properties and soothes the central ...

Prenatal Depression is common among expecting mothers and around 70 percent experience the symptoms. The stress of pregnancy results in depression even if the pregnancy is well planned. Any complication can lead to intensification of the symptoms. Hormonal changes during the period also lead to anxiety. About Prenatal Depression – Risk Factors Interestingly, a few risk factors increase the chances of a woman suffering from Prenatal Depression. A few of these include •    Family or Personal History: If you or a member of your family including parents or siblings has struggles with depression in the past, chances of your feeling the same during pregnancy are high. •    Problems with Pregnancy: Prenatal depression is also common in women who had a complication during the buildup to pregnancy. This could be difficulty in conceiving, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss and being pregnant with twins among others. •    Stressful Life: Financial worries, emotional worries and work life related worries along with physical or emotional abuse can lead to a stressful life. An expecting mother who has faced these in the past is likely to be more venerable against the depression. •    Difficulties related to Relationship: An unsupportive partner can be a big reason behind the prenatal depression and things are likely to get worse with the arrival of a young one. About Prenatal Depression – Symptoms Some of the symptoms related to depression type include •    Difficulty in concentrating •    Irritation to everything around •    Excessive crying •    Feeling bad and empty throughout the ...