Treating Prenatal Depression

Expecting a young one in the family is certainly a reason to be happy. However, studies reveal that as many as 20 percent of expecting mothers find it difficult to enjoy the same and have symptoms of prenatal depression. The things get worse when you get to know that 50 percent of those having symptoms of prenatal depression develop postnatal depression and induced depression as well. This is certainly a serious condition and calls for corrective action.

Treating Prenatal Depression

When it comes to treating Prenatal Depression, the very first thing you need to do is consult your doctor and let her analyze the symptoms to get to a conclusion. Depending on the severity of symptoms and personal preferences, you can opt for any one of the below. The doctor may also suggest you to go in for a particular combination for better results.

Support Groups

Support groups are quite effective when it comes to curing prenatal depression. You not only discuss the details with an expert counselor but also get a chance to interact with other expecting mums and understand their problems and ways they have opted to cope with the same. Discussing the details with others always has a positive effect on the mind. Support from members of the family is also of great help.

Psychotherapy

Treating Prenatal Depression with Psychotherapy is quite common and provides good results. Based on your preference, you can either opt for four to six sessions of interpersonal psychotherapy or CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). These are effective in uplifting the mood, reducing anxiety and other related psychotic disorders. In addition, you can also opt for acupuncture or massage.

Light Therapy

Light therapy exposes expecting mothers to UV lights for one hour each day. They are required to expose themselves to the same within minutes after waking up. The depression decreases slowly and is eliminated after the end of fifth week of therapy.

Antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA’s) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for prenatal depression. However, the point to understand here is that even if they are taken with care, there is some effect of the same on baby in the mother’s womb. This is the same reason why most women are opting for Prenatal Depression natural remedies.

Prenatal Depression Natural Remedies

A number of Prenatal Depression natural remedies and information about natural cure depression are there that provides the desired result against depression without any kind of side effect.

•    Exercise and Rest: Proper exercise and rest decreases cortisol while increasing serotonin levels in the nervous systems. The combines result is a better hormone balance and less depression. Proper sleep enhances the ability of mind and body to tackle stress in a better way.
•    Diet and Nutrition: Proper diet is necessary during pregnancy and consumables including processed carbohydrates, sugar, caffeine and artificial additives must be avoided.
•    Massage and acupuncture as mentioned above are also natural remedies that are helpful in prenatal depression.
•    Herbs and Supplements: Herbs and supplements are also known to be quite effective against prenatal depression. A few of these include St. John’s Wort, 5-HTP, Magnesium, Vitamin B, SAM-e and flower extracts. If you are using antidepressants, it is always better to consult your doctor before using the same. Finding a few of these might be a little difficult for most. However, there are a few supplements that are 100 percent natural and are composed of all these herbs.