The Effects of Depression to the Pregnant Woman
Article by Josephine Osborn
Pregnant women are supposed to exude an aura of joy, fulfillment and peace up to the time of her giving birth. However, numerous pregnant women found this as a lie and rejects this concept of a happy pregnancy.Emotional stress, anxiety attacks, restlessness and depression are some struggles of pregnant women.Dealing with conditions such as one of these entails sacrifices in the health of the mother and the well-being of the conceived child.Due to hormonal changes, women were noted to have a higher rate of depression than men.Women are likely to develop clinical depression and may have strange mood changes during pregnancy and especially after delivery.Non-hormonal factors may also cause these unusual mood swings such as bodily changes from pregnancy and delivery, changes in relationships, having less time and freedom for herself, lack of sleep and certain worries.Feelings of restlessness, irritation, anxiety and sobbing are normal experiences immediately after giving birth.The problem begins when after two weeks these feelings remain and turn into postnatal or postpartum depression. When this condition occurs, treatment and medical condition may be required to help the woman cope with it.The signs and symptoms of postpartum depression are the same as in any case of depression that comes with a gloomy mood, irritability, appetite change, guilt, loss of concentration, loss of energy, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, suicidal thinking or sleeping trouble.Women who did not plan the pregnancy or had mixed emotions about it may have a higher chance of developing postpartum depression. Other contributing factors also include stressful events or situations during pregnancy or delivery, poor relationship with the romantic partner, financial problems and low support from family and friends.Postpartum depression catapults into an issue when the mother becomes unable to care for herself and her baby, is afraid to be alone with her baby, has negative feelings toward the baby or worries intensely about the child.Paroxetine brand Paxil is a prescription drug used to treat postpartum depression. It is a type of antidepressant and a variant of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). A contraindication on the drug’s label was issued by the US Food and Drug Administration for women who are pregnant, who may be pregnant or who plan to be pregnant.The paroxetine drug may harm the unborn baby, including an increased risk of Paxil birth defects, particularly heart defects and persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), according to its manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline. These emotional issues among women should not be ignored or taken lightly.
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