Antenatal depression is a form of depression that some women experience while they are pregnant. It is less widely known but just as common as postnatal depression, which occurs after the baby is born.

Causes of antenatal depression

Most pregnant woman experience mood swings during the nine months of their pregnancy, but for as many as 20% of pregnant women this normal mood shift can become a serious case of the pre-baby blues. A number of things can contribute to a woman being depressed during pregnancy, including:

    • Hormones causing mood swings
    • Problems in adjusting as a couple towards the pregnancy
    • Anxiety about the ability to cope with a child
    • Unwanted pregnancy
    • A history of depression
    • Pregnancy problems, e.g. experiencing bad morning sickness or back pain
    • Previous experience of infertility or miscarriage that can lead to worries about the current pregnancy
    • Stress, caused by any major life event during the pregnancy, e.g. moving house, death of a loved one or starting a new job
    • Abuse, where any form of abuse in the past or present – emotional, physical, sexual or verbal – can make pregnancy a very upsetting time.

Symptoms of antenatal depression

Symptoms of antenatal depression include:

    • Feelings of anxiety
    • Inability to concentrate
    • Extreme irritability with others and self
    • Inability to enjoy anything anymore
    • Sleeping problems – either too much or too little
    • Eating problems – lack of appetite or eating too much
    • Feeling tired all of the time
    • Constant sadness – crying more than is usual
    • Agoraphobia – scared to leave the house or be in social situations
    • Obsessive compulsive tendencies – e.g. washing hands over and over again.

Treatment

Antenatal depression needs to be detected early because if left untreated it can lead to postnatal and ongoing depression. Up to 40% of women who experience antenatal depression develop postnatal depression if they don’t receive treatment.

If you are the mother-to-be and you experience any of the above feelings, it is important that you speak to your health provider as soon as possible. There are anti-depressant medications that can be taken while pregnant which may help reduce your feelings of anxiety.

If you are the husband, family member or friend of a mother-to-be who shows any of the symptoms described above, try to offer patience and support to the mother as she goes through the pregnancy and encourage her to seek professional help.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about antenatal depression.