Prenatal Depression: Causes, Signs and Treatment | Ep. 05
On today’s episode, I share my own story with prenatal depression, the signs and symptoms of it and tips for seeking help.
Welcome back to the learning to mom podcast! If you’re new here- my name is Laila and we chat all about pregnancy and birth so you’ll be more prepared, more informed and less overwhelmed for it all.
Okay- today we’re gonna talk about a deep and serious topic… prenatal depression.
Pregnancy is often portrayed as a time of joy, excitement, and anticipation! So it’s really hard when youre not feeling that way and kind of have to fake it. Prenatal depression, also known as antenatal depression, is a condition that affects women during pregnancy, and it's essential to shed light on this often overlooked aspect of maternal mental health.
I mean, it’s just one of those things that is not talked about, which is why we’re talking about it today- I definitely experienced it and I want to just share that and be transparent and vulnerable with that because if you’re experiencing prenatal depression too, I don’t want you to feel alone but instead I want to make you feel understood and share coping mechanisms to try to help.
So today as we’re exploring prenatal depression, We’re going to do 3 things:
1. I’m going to share MY story of experiencing it myself
2. We’re going to discuss what it is, it’s possible causes and symptoms and it’s impact on both you and your baby.
3. The last thing we’re going to do is share practical strategies for coping and seeking help.
Alright, first things first.. I want you to know where I’m coming from with all of this..
A little bit about my story….If this is the first time you’re tuning in, then you need to know that I got pregnant out of wedlock and I really struggled (if you want more tea on that, I encourage you to check out episode 0 titled, “Introduction: Welcome to the Learning To Mom Podcast!)
For everyone else, you already know all about it. I talk about it OPENLY. I believe that there is A LOT of beauty in being transparent and vulnerable. Satan so often tells us that we’re alone when we experience something really challenging so that way we don’t seek help, therefore we just feel MORE isolated in a struggle. I think there is so much goodness that can come from sharing our stories.. So here’s my experience with it.
I didn’t know I had prenatal depression until about a year later. In all honesty, I hadn’t heard of prenatal depression until one of those episodes and then when I was writing my outline for this episode I realized.. Omygoodness, this is what I had. It all makes sense. I never sought out help because I felt so ashamed for feeling this way and I just kind of thought it was all due to just getting pregnant out of wedlock, like I didn’t know something much more serious was going on.
Like I didn’t even know it was a thing that could happen, I knew about postpartum depression, but I didn’t know about prenatal depression. So given our story of finding out we were pregnant while we were dating… the stress of that and honestly just coming to the reality that I was pregnant when I didn’t even really desire to be a mother like ever… was a lot and I really struggled. Some days, honestly, more days than I want to admit I didn’t even brush my teeth because I couldn’t get out of bed. I wouldn’t shower for days, I wouldn’t go out and do stuff- I just cried and sat on the couch and cried. That was pretty much all of the first trimester. Then in my second and third trimester it was a rollercoaster. Some days would be fine and other days I wouldn’t want to face the world. I would be totally cool for like 2 weeks and then I would break down again. But through all that, The Lord is so so so so good. And there is so much goodness and so much grace that I could talk on forever how good he is and how he has redeemed this entire story for His good and also MY good. But when I was going through all that, i really just thought that was because of our situation, I didn’t know to even consider, “maybe I’m really struggling so hard because I’m actually depressed and something more serious is going on than me just being down in the dumps”.
Jumping ahead so you know how it ends.. The Lord really has redeemed all of it- he’s so so good. I was fully prepared to experience postpartum depression given my tough pregnancy, but so far I haven’t experienced it. I also LOVE, ADORE being a mom. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. And I often think the Lord allowed me to get pregnant and experience all that so that I would see I was meant to be a mom and I needed to be a mom. I am more joyful, more peaceful, more present and happier than I have ever been. The Lord knew what he was doing. I am so thankful.
I share my story and it’s really honestly hard for me to share that because i don’t know who’s listening and that’s a deep part of my heart and story that i have kept hidden, not sharing with the world… but i share that in case you are experiencing that and you don’t have to feel so alone.
Now moving on to the meat of the episode…
The easy definition of prenatal depression is that it refers to depressive symptoms experienced by expectant mothers during pregnancy. Prenatal depression shares many similarities with postpartum depression, but its unique occurrence during pregnancy sets it apart.
It’s something that impacts up to 1 in 7 women, or 15 percent. And I just want to say… just because you’re experiencing prenatal depression, does NOT mean you are going to be a bad mother, it does not mean that you don’t love your baby, it does not mean ANY of that.
The Causes and Risk Factors:
The causes of prenatal depression are pretty multifaceted, just like how we’re all multifaceted- let’s be real. It’s definitely influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. But THOSE Things ON TOP OF all the hormonal changes during pregnancy, can REAAALLLY impact your mental health and put you at risk for experiencing prenatal depression. Other risk factors include a history of depression or anxiety, stressful life events, a lack of social support, relationship difficulties, financial strain, and unplanned pregnancy… which was obviously my case.
Tiffany Field published an article in the Journal of Pregnancy and Child Health titled, “Prenatal Depression Risk Factors, Developmental Effects and Interventions: A Review” in which she says:
Risk factors for prenatal depression include unintended pregnancy, partner violence and a history of child abuse. In a meta-analysis on unintended pregnancy, the prevalence of prenatal depression was 21% or twofold in women who had an unintended pregnancy. Another meta-analysis on 67 papers focused on partner violence during pregnancy. A three - fold increase in depression was noted in those who had experienced partner violence during pregnancy. In a systematic review of 545 studies, 43 met inclusion criteria on the association between history of abuse and prenatal depressive symptoms
So the Symptoms and Impact:
The symptoms of prenatal depression may overlap with general depression symptoms but can also present unique challenges specific to pregnancy. These symptoms can manifest as persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, irritability, excessive worry or anxiety about the pregnancy, guilt or feelings of inadequacy, difficulty concentrating, appetite disturbances (and i’m not just talking about not being able to eat because of morning sickness) and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Prenatal depression can have significant consequences for you and your body. Maternal stress and depression during pregnancy have been associated with adverse outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, developmental delays, and an increased risk of emotional and behavioral problems in children.
So you don’t want to take this lightly if you are experiencing any of this.. And again, absolutely no shame if you are! It does not mean you are ill equipped for motherhood and it does not mean you don’t love your baby and it doesn’t even mean that you won’t connect with your baby right away.
With that being said, this is an easy transition to move into the last thing I wanted to talk about today… which is coping mechanisms and seeking help.
So first, you need to recognize the signs which we just talked about. If you’re experiencing any of those or any thing we didn’t mention, but you’re just not yourself, please make note of that. Pay attention to how you’re feeling and bring it up to your health provider.. Which brings me to this next point..
Talk openly with your healthcare provider about your feelings and concerns. They can provide guidance, assess your mental health, and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Individual therapy or counseling sessions with a mental health professional who specializes in perinatal mental health can be immensely beneficial. As I mentioned, I didn’t even know prenatal depression was a thing when I was experiencing it, so I didn’t know to reach out for help- but I wish I would have reached out to a woman therapist or counselor who is a mother herself, because I just think she would have understood where I was coming from.
Social Support is also CRUCIAL: Reach out to your partner, family, and friends for emotional support. Share your feelings and concerns with trusted individuals who can offer empathy, understanding, and practical assistance. This is huge. It’s so important to have a supporting, encouraging community beside you- even if it’s just one person, seek that one person out and get the support you need.
Kind of related to this tip, I would also say- if you need to set up boundaries with friends or family at this time, do SO if it’s for your mental health. I’m not saying to shut everyone out if you are depressed, that will only make things much much worse. But if you have a friend or a family member who is belittling and judging you and saying hurtful things to you perhaps if you’re pregnant out of wedlock, or saying hurtful things for you because you are struggling and they can’t seem to understand WHY, then set up boundaries. You don’t have to speak with them. Not everyone gets access to you. I encourage you to protect your mental state by removing those kinds of people from your life. You deserve to be supported, encouraged and taken care of. NOT belittled, judged or spoken harshly to.
A very practical, not talked a lot about tip is: UNFOLLOW any and all negative social media accounts. Those relatable mom accounts where they just harp, complain and whine about how hard motherhood is, how kids are such a hassle, and how their husbands suck. THOSE ACCOUNTS, IM LOOKING AT YOU!!!
That kind of content should not be consumed. It really really weighs on you when reel after reel is a mother being “relatable” for the sake of virality. When reel after reel on your feed is JUST showing the hardships and the negativity this is going to really weigh on you and make you believe that this is all motherhood is. This is going to make your depressive symptoms sooo much worse. Those accounts only focus on the negative. They are NOT showing the immense love and joy that motherhood brings into your life. If you ARE looking for a really positive instagram account to follow, I would highly recommend following Tessa Romero, and if you’re vibing with my podcast, then I know you’ll vibe with me on social media too since one of my big purposes/differentiators from other creators is that my content does NOT partner bash, grumble about how hard being a mom is, or judge other moms for mommying differently than I do. I actually give you the tools and resources you need to OVERCOME the hard, not just complain about it. We can be instagram mom friends at @learningtomom.podcast
Another thing I want to talk about is just the tip that Self-Care cannot be forgotten: Prioritize self-care activities that promote relaxation, stress reduction, and emotional well-being. Engage in activities you enjoy, practice mindfulness or meditation, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and get sufficient rest. I prayed and prayed and honestly I became way closer to the virgin mother through pregnancy because she knew all about becoming a mother 1. Out of wedlock like myself and 2. Becoming a mother perhaps before she felt ready to be one. So I prayed a lot and grew pretty close to Mary, which was really awesome for me since I have never felt super connected to mother mary before (I am a catholic convert, converted to catholicism in high school from protestantism so mary and i have just never been super tight based on my upbringing) but she brought me a lot of solace. The lord really used my experience to draw me closer to his mother which was super cool
Another practical tip is to get outside: Even if it’s for 10 minutes. Even if you just sit on your porch for ten minutes, you don’t even LEAVE the premise of your home. Even if it’s just a block around your block. I promise you, this will help tremendously. You will not feel like it. Your partner may have to DRAG you outside to do it. But you will feel better. I promise you. It’s just one of those things that you’ll always be happy you did after you did it. This isn’t like a CURE, like “oh I spent an hour outside, I shouldn’t have prenatal depression anymore”, it will decrease the severity of your depressive thoughts during and after your time spent outside.
Medication: In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe medication if the benefits outweigh the potential risks during pregnancy. Consult with your healthcare provider to discuss the safest options. There is no shame for taking medication for your mental health. I would go over the side effects thoroughly with your doctor and make sure that you feel comfortable with all the side effects in how they may affect your body physically because they may change your birth outcome (for example: a higher blood pressure could impact you and you may have to be induced early).
Conclusion:
I hope this episode was helpful and just shed some light on prenatal depression because it’s something that is not talked about enough, it’s somewhat taboo. So I hope you don’t feel so alone knowing I experienced it too. It can definitely cast a shadow on the transformative journey of pregnancy, but it's important to remember that you are not alone and that support is available. Recognize the signs, seek help, and engage in self-care. Remember, taking care of your emotional well-being is an essential part of nurturing both yourself and your growing baby.
