You may be familiar with the term postpartum depression. This describes a form of depression that can set in after giving birth to a baby. But many women actually experience symptoms of depression before giving birth.
This is not talked about quite as often, which can make the experience feel deeply isolating and even taboo to talk about. Perinatal depression can begin during pregnancy and persist after the baby is born. In many ways, the symptoms are quite similar to what people describe as postpartum depression. But the timing that these symptoms crop up can distinguish it.
What causes perinatal depression? Here are a few of the common risk factors.
Fatigue
Before becoming a parent, everyone knows that they are about to experience quite a few sleepless nights. But many women do not realize that pregnancy can be quite tiring as well. For lots of women, the first and third trimesters are especially exhausting.
After all, you’re creating an entirely new human being—it’s perfectly normal to feel run down. But when this exhaustion begins during pregnancy and then continues for months after the baby arrives, it can feel truly debilitating.
Anxieties and Expectations
In the weeks leading up to the baby’s birth, mothers-to-be might suddenly feel like the weight of a million expectations is crashing down on them. They might find themselves worrying about countless parenting decisions, or that they won’t be able to protect their child from possible harm.
This can begin before the baby arrives, and the worries can feel truly inescapable after they are born. A deep-seated and unshakeable feeling of anxiety can contribute to perinatal depression.
Difficulty Bonding With Baby
Many women are told that they will instantly bond with their babies the moment they are born, but this instant rush of love does not happen for everyone. However, some women also feel like they don’t bond with their babies while pregnant.
While both of these scenarios are perfectly normal and surprisingly common, it can still come as a shock for lots of expecting mothers and new moms. You might feel like if you don’t bond right away, you never will. This fear that a bond will never form is just one aspect of perinatal depression.
Changing Sleep Schedule
The lack of sleep that occurs in the weeks leading up to childbirth and in the weeks to months following the birth of your baby can feel brutal. Even people who are not new parents can end up struggling with symptoms of depression if they do not get enough sleep.
It can be extremely hard to get comfortable in the final weeks of the third trimester, and therefore, it can be tough to get enough sleep. Of course, this is at a time when expecting mothers desperately want to get more rest. Coupled with the lack of sleep after the baby’s birth, this can raise the risk of perinatal depression.
Trouble Focusing
When your due date is getting closer, you might have difficulty thinking about everything you need to do. You might worry about forgetting something in your hospital bag, or stress out about something that you’re leaving unfinished at home. When you’re dealing with a lack of focus, brain fog, or simply an inability to concentrate, your anxiety can skyrocket.
You might feel like you don’t have a good grip on what’s happening around you. These feelings can continue after the baby’s birth, leading to perinatal depression.
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Do you suspect that you’re suffering from perinatal depression? Working with a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.