Depression can occur during pregnancy. You will be given lot of information on postpartum depression and “baby blues” but very little on depression during pregnancy. Actually, it is estimated that more than 1 in 4 mother-to-be, experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

It is normal to occasionally feel sad, but if you feel sad most of the time you should report this to your health care professional and ask her for help. Pregnant women who are depressed may not take care of their health and this could affect the fetus. Sadness that lasts for at least two weeks and has more than one of the following symptoms are seigns of depression:

• Feeling depressed or “down” most of the day, almost every day
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or unworthy
• No longer interested in work or other activities
• Thoughts about death or suicide
• Loss of energy, feeling very tired most of the time
• Sleeping more than usual or not being able to sleep at night
• Eating much more than normal and gaining weight, or loss of appetite and losing weight
• Unable to make decisions or pay attention
• Aches and pains not relieved by any treatment

Some studies have suggested that mother’s depression and anxiety can have a strong impact on the pregnancy and the baby. Keep the clinician up to date on how you feel. This section of IndianMomsAndBabies presents answers to questions and situations most often asked by pregnant women.

Yet there will be times when your constitution presents its individual problems. The majority of your questions can be answered during your routine office visits. Routine office visits usually range from once a month up to the 28th week, then every two weeks until the ninth month, and every week during the ninth month. Of course, special circumstances or conditions can alter this schedule. At different times the fetus’ growth and position may be determined. During each visit it is important to check your weight, blood pressure, and urine. The position of the fetus, its size and prenatal visits are not time consuming, but they are vital. This is a period when you and your clinician are working together – discussing problems that relate to your pregnancy be it physical or mental.

Do not hesitate to discuss your concerns. Keeping the lines of communication open between you and your clinician is one of the surest ways to guarantee a pleasant, comfortable frequency.

Home Remedies for Depression During Pregnancy

Read on for some suggestions on dealing with depression during pregnancy. As always, if you suspect that you have this condition as a result of your pregnancy, speak with your doctor.

1. Self-Love through Depression

   There are two ways you can treat depression during pregnancy. You can treat it as a problem that needs to be treated or fought, or as something that's not okay and you need to get rid of; or you can treat it as an experience and part of yourself, and fully love yourself for it.

   Instead of beating yourself up for having depression, trying to "fix" the problem and berating yourself further if you fail to remedy it, which causes the problem to spiral, try just loving yourself through instead. Acceptance is the first step to curing depression.

2. Sleep, Water, Exercise, Fresh Air, and Sunlight

   The amount of sleep you get has a big effect on your emotional state. Getting enough sleep and waking up "fresh" will prevent sleep deprivation issues from compounding the issue; as well as give you an emotional jolt.

   Drinking enough water is important. Among other things, water is used by your body to clense it's system, as well as create proper and balanced hormones. Getting enough water is important to helping cure depression during pregnancy.

   Exercise and fresh air are both important parts to clear mental health. Moderate to straneous exercise is safe for pregnant women up to their third trimester, after which moderate exercise without running or jumping is recommended. Breathing deeply into your belly has also been proven to boost mental clarity.

   Sunlight also has the effect of cheering up and nurturing the body. Sunlight is also necessary for the production of Vitamin D, which is essential in getting your baby the calcium he/she needs to thrive. Fifteen minutes of sunlight on your skin, three times a week is recommended for pregnant women.

3. Believe You'll Get Through It

   Depression during pregnancy is usually only temporary, especially if the mother has no previous history of depression. Knowing there's a light at the end of the tunnel is important for remaining centered even in the midst of emotional chaos.

Again, when in doubt, consult a qualified medical professional.

Depression during pregnancy is a common affliction for expecting women. This condition is usually temporary and curable.