Mental Health and Pregnancy

Any and all women can develop a mental disorder during pregnancy or within the first year giving birth.  Other environmental factors, such as poverty, stress, domestic violence, extreme conflict, geographic, natural disasters, SES, and down turn of the economy increase the risk of certain disorders for expectant mothers.  Some of the consequences of mental disorders during pregnancy can affect whether or not the expectant mother gets adequate sleep and nutrition.  Depending on her circumstance and the stability of her mental health, she may not take advantage of prenatal care and medical consultation.  Instead, she increase her chances of trying to make herself feel better by turning to drugs, tobacco products, and alcohol to comfort herself.  In high stress and depression cases, it’s even possible that the mother to be may inflict harm on herself or the unborn baby.  If mental health is left untreated, the results could end in suicide or abuse.  Another indication of abnormal mental health in mothers would be the absence of wanting to bond with the newborn.  When mothers are depressed they are not focused on nurturing the newborn or paying attention to the cues the newborn expresses when uncomfortable, unhappy, or hunger. 

Some Symptoms of Depression are:

·         Restlessness

·         Mood swings and uncontrollable emotions

·         Excessive crying

·         Too much or too little eating and sleeping

·         Memory problems and excessive indecisiveness

·         Lack of interest

·         Inability to find satisfaction

·         Feeling of worthlessness

·         Withdrawal and Isolation from friend and family

·         Constantly experiencing discomfort

·         Suicidal thoughts

I chose to the mental health topic because there are a lot of women, worldwide, they go untreated before, during, and after pregnancy.  Taking time to look at post partum depression and get a better understanding of what it is and how it’s treated is very interesting.  I always thought it was a culture thing; that only certain women from certain ethnic groups experienced the “baby blues.   Now, knowing that it can happen to any woman and there are other factors that must be taken into account when doctors diagnose which treatment method is best for women who suffer from depression.  I guess I never looked at pregnancy as being a stressful process that could trigger any mental health disorder.  As of now, and in the future, I will be more observant of the parents I work with, my family and friends, and others that I connect with regularly, to make sure they are abreast to maintaining a balance for their mental health.  Also, I would like you to pay close attention as well.  If women are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, they should immediately contact a medical professional.  If you notice any of your friends, relatives, coworkers, or colleagues experiencing any of the following, you should help them get the medical assistance they need.  Remember, it’s their health and life at stake as well as the innocent and helpless infant.   

For more information please visit the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/MaternalMH/en/index.html

Other Reference:  Stewart, D.E., Robertson, E., Dennis, C-L., Grace, S.L., & Wallington, T. (2003).  Postpartum depression: Literature review of risk factors and interventions.