Contents:
- Medical Video: How to Stop Stress in 90 Seconds
- Recognize symptoms of stress and depression
- The danger of ignoring stress and depression during pregnancy
- Facing stress and depression during pregnancy
- 1. Psychotherapy
- 2. Take antidepressant medication
- 3. Exercise
- 4. Acupuncture
- 5. Increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids
Medical Video: How to Stop Stress in 90 Seconds
Stress and depression can attack anyone and anytime indiscriminately. Pregnant women who are usually loaded with happiness look forward to the birth of their babies can also be attacked by stress and depression. Be careful if you experience stress and depression while pregnant. The reason is, this condition is dangerous for pregnancy, both for yourself and for your baby. Handling given can also not be arbitrary. Note the important information below if you or the closest person has depression during pregnancy.
Recognize symptoms of stress and depression
In many cases, pregnant women do not realize that they are stressed or depressed. When pregnant, women do experience various changes. One of them is the mood. Changes in psychological conditions are influenced by hormones in the body of pregnant women. However, stress and depression are not normal psychological changes during pregnancy. Note the following symptoms.
- Sleeplessness or just want to sleep
- Mood is always bad and sad
- Feeling worthless, unappreciated, and hopeless
- Pessimistic thoughts about pregnancy and babies conceived
- Not energetic and lackluster
- Loss of interest in things that were previously enjoyed
- Withdraw from the social environment
- Eating tastes disappear or increase significantly
- Suicidal thoughts
The danger of ignoring stress and depression during pregnancy
Excessive stress in pregnant women can lead to depression. If not treated properly, depression during pregnancy can adversely affect pregnancy and the fetus. These are the risks that might arise if depression during pregnancy is ignored.
- Babies born with low body weight
- Babies born prematurely
- Preeclampsia in mothers
- Birth by Caesarean section
- Fetal development disorders because the mother does not maintain health during pregnancy
- Postpartum depression
- The inner bond with the baby is not strong enough
READ ALSO: Sleep Quality of Pregnant Women Affects Fetal Growth
Facing stress and depression during pregnancy
Stress and depression are complications of pregnancy that must be quickly overcome. The following are safe steps that can be taken by pregnant women to deal with stress and depression during pregnancy.
1. Psychotherapy
Hormonal changes can make some women more susceptible to stress and depression during pregnancy. As a result, overcoming the condition becomes more difficult compared to women who are not pregnant. Then you need to seek help from a professional therapist to relieve stress and depression.
Usually a psychologist or psychiatrist will suggest psychological therapy in the form of cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of psychotherapy where you will meet privately with a therapist. In this therapy, you and your therapist will work together to change your mindset and behavior to be more positive and healthy. The sooner you see a therapist, the results will be more pronounced.
READ ALSO: Is it true that CBT Psychological Therapy Can Overcome Our Life Problems?
2. Take antidepressant medication
Do not take antidepressant medication without a prescription from a doctor or psychiatrist. If a psychiatrist prescribes an antidepressant, discuss it first with your obstetrician. Certain types of antidepressants are not too risky for pregnant women. Drugs with relatively few and safe side effects for women contain, among others, selective serotonin release (SSRI) inhibitors such as sertraline, citalopram, and fluoxetine. What you need to watch out for is paroxetine (for example the Paxil brand). This antidepressant drug is not recommended for pregnant women.
Antidepressant drugs are just a choice, not a mandatory thing. If psychological therapy and other methods can still help, you don't need to take antidepressant drugs. Side effects of taking antidepressant drugs during pregnancy that may arise in infants are respiratory problems, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and babies appear nervous at birth.
READ ALSO: Pros and Cons of Taking Antidepressant Medication
The possibility of antidepressant drug side effects in infants is very low. Instead of the risk of untreated depression, it is better for pregnant women to follow the advice of psychiatrists and obstetricians. Pregnant women who suffer from severe depression, dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality), or anxiety disorders should not stop treatment if they have not been instructed by a psychiatrist and obstetrician.
3. Exercise
Exercising regularly can help you get through difficult times with a fresher mind. When you exercise, your body produces endorphins and brain neurotransmitters that will make you feel more relaxed and positive. Try to exercise in an open place exposed to sunlight. This can help you feel more calm and happy. Try sports such as yoga, gymnastics, swimming, or walking.
READ ALSO: Diligent Pregnant Women Exercising Gives Birth to Smart Babies
4. Acupuncture
A recent study conducted by the Stanford School of Medicine concluded that acupuncture therapy can relieve symptoms of depression in pregnant women. In this traditional therapy, pregnant women will be pierced with special needles at effective points to relieve depression and improve mood. No need to be afraid of pain because most people who undergo acupuncture only feel a warm sensation or a mild tingling sensation. Some people don't even feel anything. Acupuncture has also been proven safe for pregnant women.
5. Increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids
Pregnant women who are attacked by stress or depression should increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are mostly found in fish and nuts. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in fish oil, soybeans, cooked salmon, spinach and walnuts. Regularly eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help you relieve mild to moderate depression.
