How do you recognize pregnancy depression?
Pregnancy depression is not always easy to detect at first glance. Often its symptoms (physical complaints such as back pain, tiredness and listlessness) are seen as a consequence of pregnancy, i.e. as “normal”. However, if sadness, hopelessness and listlessness occur over a period of several weeks, pregnancy depression should be considered.
If feelings of guilt, strong thoughts and permanent worries, experiences of insufficiency, as well as suicidal thoughts should be added, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. The consequences of pregnancy depression can carry risks for both the mother and the unborn child. Delays in the development and premature birth of the baby are typical consequences.
Other studies have shown that obstetric anxiety (typical of pregnancy depression) is associated with an increased perception of pain and a prolonged duration of birth, and can lead to postpartum depression. There are no specific tests that detect pregnancy depression. However, since the symptoms of gestational depression are similar to those of depression in non-pregnant women in many respects, a self-test can be revealing for depression.
There are many such tests on the Internet, for example on the website of the German Depression Help Center. Here, 9 questions must be answered with one of 5 given answer options.Afterwards the evaluation is carried out. Such a test can give indications of the possible presence of (pregnancy) depression, but it does not replace a visit to the doctor.
Causes
In one study, women with pregnancy depression showed no socioeconomic or hormonal abnormalities compared to healthy mothers. Therefore, a multifactorial view describes the genesis (development) of PPD most accurately. That means many different causes come to bear.
It is not so much specific causes as the sum of factors that ultimately determine whether a person will develop pregnancy depression. Genetically predisposed women whose 1st degree relatives were mentally ill are at risk of suffering from PPD. Women who have already had depression prenatally (before birth) are also at risk.
Psychologically, the cognitive (mental) attitude of the woman to the new challenge as a mother is required. Pregnancy and birth are experienced as a profound “life event” by the mother, which brings many changes with it. The separation between mother and child must first be processed by the woman giving birth.
Then a role change from woman to mother, from man to father is pending. The woman thinks about whether she and her partner are up to the new demands that are placed on responsible parents. In addition, the fear arises in the woman about the extent to which the child will change her relationship with her partner and her position in professional life.
If the woman does not find cognitive answers to these questions, she experiences the phase after the birth as stress. Psycho-socially, a stable partner relationship and support in the family and environment is therefore crucial. If these supports fall away, the woman will hardly be able to develop a confident and caring attitude towards her newborn child.
Hormonally, the drop in estrogen and progesterone is only the trigger for pregnancy depression. Especially the loss of the 200 times higher value of estrogen during pregnancy causes major changes in the central neurotransmitter system. For example, the serotonin balance is largely dependent on the amount of estrogen.
If the oestrogen level is reduced, the production of the happiness hormone serotonin will be affected. Concentration and mood decrease. A pregnancy depression exists, as the name suggests, during pregnancy.
A depression that only occurs after birth is called postpartum depression. A pregnancy depression can occur during the entire pregnancy. Postpartum depression, also known as postpartum depression, can occur within 2 years after birth. In about 70% of cases, however, the depressive symptoms begin in the first two weeks after delivery.
