What effects can untreated depression have?
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, depression not only hurts the mother, but also affects her family. It has been found by some researchers that depression during pregnancy can raise the risk of delivering an underweight baby or a premature infant. It is also noticed that some women with depression have difficulty caring for themselves during pregnancy.
They may have trouble eating and won’t gain enough weight during the pregnancy; have trouble sleeping; may miss prenatal visits; may not follow medical instructions; have a poor diet; or may use harmful substances, like tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs. Postpartum depression is known to affect a mother’s ability to parent. She may lack energy, have trouble concentrating, be irritable, and not be able to meet her child’s needs for love and affection. As a result, she may feel guilty and lose confidence in herself as a mother, which can worsen the depression. Researchers believe that postpartum depression can affect the infant by causing delays in language development, problems with emotional bonding to others, behavioral problems, lower activity levels, sleep problems, and distress. It helps if the father or another caregiver can assist in meeting the needs of the baby and other children in the family while mom is depressed.
All children deserve the chance to have a healthy mom. All moms deserve the chance to enjoy their life and their children. Don’t let her suffer alone. If she is experiencing symptoms of depression during pregnancy or after having a baby, talk to her and call your doctor or midwife right away.
Also See:
• What causes depression?
• What are symptoms of depression?
• How is depression treated?
• What is the difference between “baby blues,”postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis?