Depression has been considered as the most common psychiatric disorder, which roots the anxiety. So, it’s a common pre-existing condition that stumbled upon pregnancy. More inconsolably, women have twice the probability to have depression than that of men there is an increased tendency to develop it during the reproductive years.
Depression finds pregnancy a fertile phase to either start a new or worsen if already exists. No matter one is prepared or not but pregnancy brings extra physical, financial, marital, and sexual stresses resulting into depression at this tender phase.
Mild depression, moodiness, blues anxiety can be handled by a qualified obstetrician but severe depression requires the additional concern of a psychiatrist as it can kill people. Killing means severe depression can force a pregnant woman to commit suicide in extreme cases. So, no moodiness should be left unquestioned.
Symptoms of Depression
Other than feeling sad or blue, a pregnant woman may experience following symptoms of depression that may last for a long time;
| Sleeping Problems, Sleeping too muchGuilt FeelingsLack of interestTrouble ConcentratingLoss of energyAppetite ChangesRestlessnessIrritationAgitation or slowed movementLaid up thoughts or ideas about Suicide |
However, many other things can cause these symptoms, like anemic women may feel lack of energy or pregnant women often experience changes in appetite.
Effect on Fetus
Depression can prove highly negative to the outcome of a pregnancy. It gives rise to poor prenatal care. The other serious risks include;
| Impaired fetal growthIncreased risk of miscarriagePreterm deliveryPoor weight gainBorn heart problemsBirth Defects |
Sometimes, depressed woman can switch to smoking, anti-depressants or even alcohol to self medicate.
Use of Anti-Depressant Drugs in Pregnancy
From earlier times, it has been challenging to study and comprehend the risks of any drug given to pregnant women. There are two lives that are exposed to the drug during pregnancy. Chances are strong that medications that are safe for a mother may prove sometimes risky for the fetus. This risk hampers the studies of many drugs during pregnancy. Although several anti-depressant drugs have been used for many years without any apparent signs of serious risk to the baby, but some studies have reported increased risks too.
Xanax belongs to the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that Xanax is known to be unsafe to an unborn baby. Xanax have an addictive potential. Generally, Xanax medication is not suggested by the doctors. One should not start Xanax medication without first talking to her doctor if she is pregnant or a feeding mother. Some studies suggest that Xanax may pass into breast milk and thereby can prove to be harmful for the child.