Depression during pregnancy can lead to long-term adverse health outcomes, according to a new survey.
Depression is a serious problem faced by one in every five pregnant women in the country. Postpartum depression (PPD) or postnatal depression is moderate to severe depression affects a woman after she gives birth to a child. One out of every eight women in the U.S. is a victim of such condition. The mental position during and after pregnancy can lead to poor weight gain, preeclampsia, premature labor and trouble in bonding with the new born.
To find out the hidden risks associated with depression, both antenatal and postnatal, authorities from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and Netmums, interviewed 260 mothers. More than a third of pregnant woman with depression reported having suicidal thoughts before or after giving birth.
Mothers with antenatal depression were found at increased risks of having worsening mental health problems than women only experiencing postnatal depression. Researchers found majority of the participants (80 percent) who experienced depression in pregnancy also experiencing depression after giving birth, thus having a negative impact on their relationship with the baby (52 percent).
The survey also found many women hesitating to seek medical help immediately after diagnosing the condition. Concerned by the findings, the researchers emphasize the need for more awareness among women and health practitioners in indentifying and preventing this occurrence.
"This survey shows that there is an urgent need to identify and help women with depression in pregnancy and after the birth of their baby. If we can identify women as early as possible then we could prevent them declining into much more serious mental health problems" Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said in a news release.
Though antidepressants are available to treat depression during and after pregnancy, many prefer to avoid them to ensure safety.
For such women, previous studies put forward safe solution- yoga. A team of researchers from University of Michigan found mindfulness yoga, a combination of meditative focus with physical poses helping pregnant women to overcome their mood disorders.
