Prenatal depression affects an estimated 14-23% of pregnant women. Every year, more than 400,000 infants are born to mothers who struggle with depression making the most under-diagnosed obstetric complication in America. During pregnancy, many women may even try to voice their concerns to their primary health care providers only to be met with a rehearsed answer from their doctor. This leaves women feeling unheard, uncared for, and ultimately at risk for developing further complications during and after their pregnancy.

Signs of Prenatal Depression

It is natural and normal to feel intense, and even potentially conflicting, emotions during huge life transitions like pregnancy. Most women are prepared to encounter the typical pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, body aches and pains, even the normative fear of what the experience of becoming a new parent will be like, but many women are not even aware that prenatal depression exists, much less that they could be struggling with it.

• You feel completely overwhelmed

• You feel guilty because you wanted to be pregnant, you wanted this baby, and you feel as though you should be handling the idea of becoming a mother better than this

• You are very confused and scared

• You feel unenthusiastic towards otherwise happy moments in life

• You are uninterested in activities that you typically love

• You feel nothing, you feel emptiness and numbness and don’t feel bonded to your baby

• You feel disconnected from everyone and everything

• You are afraid that if you reach out for help, people will judge you

Help is Available

If you think you are struggling with symptoms of prenatal depression, please know that there is hope and help! Counseling treatment has been shown to reduce prenatal depression symptoms and prevent the development of postpartum depression following the birth of a child. Counseling can allow you navigate your feelings and expectations around becoming a parent, help create a healthy and supportive environment for your child, allow you to develop coping skills for stress and anxiety, and manage stress and relational conflicts. Reach out today!