Mental health articles

perinatal depression of baby  Though some emotionality is a frequent and normal part of pregnancy and parturition,
major mood episodes affect a significant proportion of women during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. In fact, depression is the second greatest cause
of morbidity for women of childbearing years, second only to HIV-AIDS in cause of disability . The prevalence of depression in women’s lifetimes is approximately 10–25 %, with greatest risk of depressive disorder
occurring during childbearing years . Studies estimate that
18 % of pregnant women will suffer from depressive symptoms and that approximately 14 % of women will meet criteria for major depression during pregnancy  and postpartum .
Signs and symptoms for perinatal depression are similar to those for depression in the general population: depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of
guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration . Clinical wisdom points to depression marked by high levels of anxiety and worry about the health of the baby and the fitness of mother/
patient. Prevalence of antenatal depression appears to peak in the first trimester, while postpartum depression peaks around 12 weeks after delivery  with elevated risk lasting well into the first year postpartum.

Tags: depression, perinatal depression