Many women who struggle with their mental health during the last few months of pregnancy or shortly after giving birth are unfamiliar with the term “perinatal depression.” While women are often concerned about experiencing postpartum depression, perinatal depression is rarely discussed and often goes unrecognized. Sometimes, it’s merely chalked up to “the baby blues,” a short period after giving birth that can feel emotionally taxing due to a hormonal drop.
However, perinatal depression can last for months. Lots of women who suffer from depression in the months before giving birth, or immediately after, suppress their feelings because they don’t want to seem unhappy or ungrateful. But women with perinatal depression deserve help, not dismissal. Here’s how to recognize the signs of perinatal depression and find the support you need.
Understanding Perinatal Depression
Perinatal depression is often mistakenly characterized as “the baby blues.” While the baby blues can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, perinatal depression often persists for much longer, and it can start far earlier.
Expectant mothers are initially susceptible to perinatal depression during pregnancy, and hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, emotional stress, and a past history of depression, anxiety, or trauma can all raise one’s risk. But perinatal depression can affect any pregnant woman, regardless of her background or personal history.
Recognizing the Signs
Sometimes, it can be hard to recognize perinatal depression, especially if the symptoms catch you off guard. Symptoms can manifest as intense fatigue, appetite changes, and sleep disturbances that are unrelated to physical pregnancy discomfort or newborn care. Emotionally, you might struggle with persistent sadness, irritability, or anxiety. You may also feel detached from your baby.
It’s easy to assume that you’re just feeling a little off because you’re going through a major life change. But these symptoms can be warning flags for a deeper issue. It’s important to reflect honestly and consider whether you might need someone to lean on.
Talk to Someone You Trust
If you’re dealing with symptoms of perinatal depression, consider opening up to your partner, a friend, or a family member. Sharing these complicated emotions can make you feel highly vulnerable. But at the same time, you might also feel less isolated and more connected after speaking from the heart. Chances are, a few other women you know have felt the same way.
Seeking Professional Help
For some women, turning to their loved ones for support can be a much-needed balm. However, if you’re still not feeling like yourself, there’s no shame at all in reaching out for professional help.
Your OB/GYN, midwife, or primary care physician may be able to give you a recommendation or referral for a therapist who specializes in supporting expecting mothers and new parents. Furthermore, there may be support groups in your area for new moms. You do not have to resign yourself to coping with perinatal depression all alone.
Building a Long-Term Support System
Even if you find a therapist, you can continue focusing on fostering your support system. Creating time to spend alone with your partner can help you strengthen your bond before your baby arrives, and they can better tune into your needs. Your family might be open to pitching in with more childcare to ease your stress.
Additionally, while you might have to adjust your self-care rituals based on your healthcare needs during pregnancy, you deserve to feel nourished and well-rested. Perinatal depression does not have to define your experience of pregnancy and new motherhood.
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Do you feel lost and alone with your due date approaching? Our counselors are here to support you through perinatal depression therapy. We invite you to contact our practice to learn more.