Considered a highly complicated matter, for those taking anti-depressant medication or who need to take them during pregnancy find it difficult to get or continue treatment. Most doctors will advise against taking any type of anti-depressant as this will harm the baby and some women feel that their symptoms are not strong enough to seek treatment. There is a social acceptance for pregnant women to have to tough out her emotional moods and just accept these difficulties. But ignoring depression during pregnancy might actually harm the later development of the child.

The first thing that anyone facing depression should understand is that there are many ways of dealing with depression. You have to come to grips with how you feel. For pregnant women, it is especially important to recognize that depression is not a sign of weakness and does not mean that you are unfit to be a momma. Remember that depression is a biological illness, the same as other health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure. It usually occurs because of an inherited gene passed down from generation to generation.

When depression becomes an issue, it is helpful to seek out emotional support. Do not let yourself be bogged down by the weight of this illness. It is good to seek out activities that are geared for pregnant women like exercise classes or child-bearing educational programs. In most cities, there are places that offer these classes for free. Being around other women who are going through the same process can be extremely beneficial for those who might be feeling depressed moods. It is also key to realize that socialization doesn’t always work especially if you are feeling horrible and the women around you are extremely happy about the upcoming childbirth.

When you are depressed, things may feel out of control, making it real easy to start to feel like life is hopeless. You may feel like retreating and just waiting for life to get better. But it is important to not keep all this inside. You need to find someone you can speak to openly and honestly.

Joining a support group might be helpful and individual psychotherapy may help to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Having these options can be the best solutions since they don’t require taking any medications during pregnancy.

But what happens to those who have bi-polar depression and therapy just is not enough?

Using Antidepressants During Pregnancy

For those who suffer from depression, antidepressants have proven to be highly effective. The problem with pregnancy though is that most women have been told to avoid taking their medication during this time in their life. This may feel like the sensible thing to do but depression is an illness. When the symptoms become too severe, most pregnant women feel that they cannot take medication that could alleviate their symptoms as they are fearful of harming the fetus. But if all other methods fail, then not taking needed medication might not be the safest thing to do and can put you and the baby at risk.

There has been a lot of research over the last fifteen years about the use of antidepressants during pregnancy and there are believed to be a few types of medication that pose no significant threat to the fetus. Unfortunately, this information is not entirely believed or accepted and there is no definitive way to test these products on women during pregnancy without causing all sorts of ethical issues.

Women face a lot of physical and emotional battles during pregnancy that is deemed normal like swollen ankles, stretch marks and lots of sleepless nights, but depression is never a normal part of pregnancy and should never be ignored or endured. Please seek help and get the real facts about depression and pregnancy if you are feeling down during this time of your life.