Help! I'm About to Have My Baby and I Feel Depressed

Many people have heard of postpartum depression, which causes symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, and frustration in the weeks and months following birth. But prenatal depression — depression that develops during pregnancy — is common, too. In fact, together, prenatal depression and postnatal depression are related and often referred to as perinatal depression — depression that occurs around the time of pregnancy.

At OB/GYN Associates of Conroe, Richard Roberts, MD, and his team help expectant moms get the treatment and support they need to manage the emotional upheaval they can experience during and after pregnancy, so they and their newborns can enjoy optimal health and wellness. In this post, learn more about prenatal depression, including its signs and symptoms, and the care that can help you feel better again.

Understanding prenatal depression

The physical changes associated with being pregnant are obvious: The growing belly, swollen ankles, back pain, and even morning sickness are all obvious to expectant moms and loved ones. But pregnancy causes emotional symptoms, too, and hormonal fluctuations are very often the root cause. 

While many people know hormones like estrogen and progesterone are associated with getting pregnant, the chemical changes that happen during pregnancy may be less well-known but their impact can be dramatic. These hormones also play key roles in mood and can influence feelings of depression that happen during (and after) pregnancy.

What’s more, the physical changes that occur during the later months of pregnancy can cause a lot of discomfort, making it even harder to cope with the emotional consequences. Worries about labor and delivery, financial stress, and other family responsibilities can worsen your symptoms, too.

Regardless of the individual factors contributing to your own low mood, the outcome is the same: unhappy feelings, worries, and often a lot of guilt that you’re not consumed by joy at the prospects of new motherhood.

Treatment can definitely help

The first thing you should know is you’re not alone. As noted earlier, while perinatal depression is a common problem, it should be taken seriously. While some emotional upheaval is expected during pregnancy, persistent, pervasive symptoms are not and definitely warrant treatment.

Dr. Roberts and his team have significant experience providing support and resources for women dealing with depression and anxiety during pregnancy, and we understand how common these struggles are and how to best treat them. Our team offers medical care that’s safe for you and your baby, as well as directing moms-to-be to providers with direct experience in treating pregnancy-related depression.

Working side-by-side with our team and other skilled mental health providers can yield dramatic improvements in your mood and in your physical symptoms, too. The key is seeking help as soon as possible to help set the stage for a healthy, happy pregnancy and postpartum period, too.

Start feeling better

Prenatal depression doesn't mean there’s something wrong with you as a woman or as a mother. It’s a reflection of chemical changes often combined with lifestyle factors and it’s treatable. To learn how we can help, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at OB/GYN Associates of Conroe in Conroe, Texas, today.