Depressed and pregnant? Here's something else to be depressed about. A study in the Journal of Human Reproduction shows you're more likely to deliver prematurely.
The study, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, shows ""strong evidence that depression during pregnancy is bad for the fetus." The more severe the depression symptoms, the higher the likelihood that a baby will come early. But doctors say women can fight the risks by getting more exercise, eating well, using light therapy . . . and when all else fails, taking the medicine.
As one of the estimated 12 to 14 percent of women who experience depression during pregnancy, I can tell you - that's easier said than done. With a history of anxiety, I was on depression medicine when I got pregnant. I went off them almost immediately - afraid of the risks of ingesting pharmaceuticals while pregnant. Then I had a car accident - one of the triggers of my original anxiety disorder. As the weeks passed by, I became more and more anxious - and I finally forced myself to talk to the doctor. Her response? I can't put you on an anti-depressant unless you specifically ask me to be put on one because of the risk to the baby.
Way to add more stress there doc. Now reading these results, I'm glad I bit the bullet. As one doctor interviewed by U.S. News and World Report about the study says, a depressed mom's brain "generates some pretty noxious chemicals." In other words, trying to be a hero isn't good for the baby.
Image: Nebraska Health and Human Services
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