Recent studies have suggested that antenatal depression is in fact more common than postnatal depression; indeed some research has suggested that as many as 1 in 10 women will experience antenatal depression. This is a fact that’s hardly surprising when you take into account all the hormones flying around your body when you’re expecting!

Pregnancy is a life-changing experience and therefore quite a lot to contend with, as you face both physical and emotional changes. Although it’s quite normal to experience mood swings and emotional highs and lows during pregnancy, if these symptoms are prolonged or if you suffer from any of the following symptoms, you could be suffering from antenatal depression.

What are the symptoms?

There are certain symptoms to look out for which might indicate antenatal depression. These include:

*an inability to concentrate
*feelings of irritability and/or anxiety
*feeling particularly low or sad and crying excessively
*a general lack of interest in anything
*sleeping problems: either a desire to sleep all the time or difficulties in sleeping
*compulsions, such as constantly washing your hands or cleaning things
*issues with food – either a loss of appetite or a tendency to comfort eat
*low self-esteem
*feeling isolated and not wanting to mix with others
*low energy levels
*feelings of guilt and/or panic
*agoraphobia – finding it difficult to leave the house or developing a fear of open spaces
*pessimistic feelings. If these develop into thoughts of a suicidal nature you must talk to your GP immediately

What are the causes?

Pregnancy, for many, is an incredibly exciting time and mums-to-be with antenatal depression may wonder why they’re suffering from this condition, when having a baby is meant to be such a joyous experience. There is no way to predict who will or won’t experience antenatal depression, but there are some contributing factors which are attributed as causes:

* If you’ve decided to take on another major challenge, such as moving house or a new job, then this is likely to add to your stress levels.
* Financial difficulties can also add to your worries, as you may have concerns about how you will provide for your child.
* If you’ve suffered from depression in the past or have a family history of depression, you might be more likely to experience this condition during pregnancy.
* The more complicated your pregnancy, the more prone you might be to antenatal depression; if you’ve been suffering from extreme bouts of morning sickness.
* You might have an increased likelihood of suffering from antenatal depression if you have recently experienced a bereavement.
* Pregnancy can be a stressful and worrying time, especially for first-time mums, as you don’t know what to expect. You may find yourself particularly anxious if it’s taken you a long time to conceive or if you’ve previously experienced a miscarriage.
* It’s important to have a good support network during pregnancy; it’s a time when you really need your friends and family around you, as you will be experiencing a range of physical and emotional changes. If you don’t have this support, it can lead to feelings of isolation which can contribute towards depression.
* You are also more likely to suffer from antenatal depression if your pregnancy was unplanned, as it may take you some time to adjust to the idea of being pregnant – especially if you’re going it alone.
* If you have ever been the victim of abuse you are also more likely to suffer from depression.

Is antenatal depression linked to postnatal depression?

There is no direct link between antenatal and postnatal depression; just because you feel depressed during pregnancy it doesn’t mean these feelings will continue once your baby is born.

What can I do to help?

The best course of action to take if you think you might be suffering from antenatal depression is to consult your GP or midwife immediately. You will be given a proper diagnosis and you may be referred to a counselor. Your doctor might prescribe anti-depressants, depending on the severity of your case.

Eating a healthy diet and taking gentle forms of exercise can also help to boost your self-esteem and mental well-being during pregnancy. Read our feature on Diet for a healthy pregnancy and Exercises recommended through pregnancy to learn more.

It may sound silly, but opening up to your friends and family members can help. This is often easier said than done when you’re feeling depressed, as all you want to do is cut yourself off from the rest of the world, but it’s never a good idea to bottle things up. It doesn’t matter whom you talk to; it could be anyone from a best friend to a neighbor. It’s the very act of talking; the other person is there to listen and help to relieve your burden. You might also find it helpful to chat to other pregnant mums – some of whom may be feeling the same way as you. Joining a pregnancy yoga group and attending antenatal classes are both great ways to meet other mums-to-be; your midwife should be able to recommend groups and classes in your local area.

Most importantly, you should never feel guilty for feeling depressed or low; this is not your fault and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it. The earlier you seek the help of a professional, the better, as the sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner you will be on the road to recovery;you can then begin to enjoy your pregnancy and start to look forward with excitement and anticipation to the birth of your baby.