Risk Factors and Possible Triggers of Depression During Pregnancy

Everyone including yourself expects you to be always happy and excited about the coming baby... Pregnancy is a time of great joy, excitement and cute things surrounds you like small socks that could make anyone giggles! But let's all face it, rapid increase of hormones and great changes to the body could disrupt brain chemistry and there are times when we feel down. I personally experience the sad/lonely mood and sometimes chocolates are not enough...

Antepartum depression, is a mood disorder just like clinical depression during pregnancy. Mood disorders are biological illnesses that involve changes in brain chemistry. Since hormone changes can affect brain chemicals during pregnancy, it is directly related to depression and anxiety.

I searched about it and learned that there are risk factors for depression during pregnancy especially if you have one or more of the following:

• History of Depression or anxiety. If it runs in the family, and if you struggle with this in the past, you are more likely to experience it again when you're expecting.
• Relationship Difficulties. Problems in marital relationship, couples not working out can lead a pregnant to depression. But the coming-soon-cute-little-bundle-of-joy may not be the solution to the couple's problem because the stress that comes in taking care of the baby may only add strain onto the relationship.
• Past history of abuse might also trigger depression during pregnancy, like emotional, sexual, physical, or verbal abuse. But hey, you survive girl, you still could this time. :)
• Failing on previous attempt to get pregnant for months or even years will tire you down and now that you're carrying one, you might still feel the emotional effects
• Previous pregnancy loss and miscarriages. Losing a baby in the past will make moms-to-be a little more worried than those who didn't experience such. Of course, the baby you lost is always treasured. Here is a dedication to your unborn.
• Health problems with your pregnancy. If your like me, who had a major heart surgery and blood infection, the complication and high-risk pregnancy can really make you down emotionally and physically. I'm not allowed travel much so I'm usually stuck at home bed resting. It's a good thing I work at home or else my financial status would hurt too. Although now, I work less than before.
• Everyday Stresses and Decision Making. Unplanned pregnancy, becoming a soon to be single-parent,being a young parent could depress you. Even the unexpected death of a friend or family as well as breaking up. Also the financial worries, job issues and decision-making whether to stay home after giving birth or work right away can trigger depression too.

Obviously on my case, my health sometimes stress me so much, I'm so worried for my little baby inheriting my health problems plus the fact that even non preggers stress about: financial status. :3