Depression
can be bewildering for women when it occurs during pregnancy
and postpartum. Particularly if the pregnancy is a desired
one, women canšt figure out "why they feel so bad" during
a time in which they expected to feel so good. At other times,
the stress of an unexpected pregnancy or risks associated
with a high-risk pregnancy can contribute to depression.
During
Pregnancy
During pregnancy
up to 10% of women will experience depression. In
general, however pregnancy does not cause symptoms
to be more severe, and many women who have pregnancy related
depression have had previous episodes.
Postpartum
Depression
About 12-15% of
women develop postpartum depression. The postpartum
period is a time of extreme vulnerability to depression. It
usually occurs within a month of the birth and may occur as
early as 24 hours following a birth.
To
learn more about depression during pregnancy and postpartum,
choose from either of the links below:
