Self-assessment of depression during pregnancy

Women should ensure that they are in a good mood during pregnancy and avoid excessive worry. Generally, pregnant women worry about various things from the beginning of pregnancy, and have no right person to talk to, and feel helpless. Over time, it is easy to develop depression. If depression is not treated effectively, it will have a series of impacts on the family and the life of the pregnant woman. Some pregnant women will experience antenatal anxiety, intrapartum depression and postpartum depression throughout their pregnancy. So, how can pregnant women detect themselves for depression during pregnancy?

Self-diagnosis for depression during pregnancy

1. Changes in appetite: Appetite suddenly increases or decreases, always wanting to eat or not liking food. This can be determined by weighing yourself; gaining or losing weight too quickly is often a symptom of depression.

2. Sleeping too long: The sleeping time is normal, but you still feel sleepy during the day. You want to sleep all the time and often feel tired.

3. Unable to develop interests and hobbies: For example, a pregnant woman used to like pets such as cats and dogs, but suddenly dislikes them, or cannot concentrate on watching TV shows or movies.

4. Depression: Crying for no apparent reason, feeling upset, blaming yourself and feeling guilty, feeling that you are very ineffective, and suddenly tears start flowing when you are alone and thinking about something.

5. Slow logical thinking: This means that the active brain does not work well, one cannot remember things, and has difficulty thinking about problems. The patient feels that his mind is empty and he has become stupid.

Effects of depression during pregnancy on the fetus

When the mother is anxious, depressed, angry or sad, her mood will be transmitted to the fetus, affecting the fetus' mood. At the same time, it will affect the endocrine system through the adjustment of the central nervous system, producing related growth hormones, accelerating the heart rate and increasing blood pressure. The peculiar situation of "intrauterine separation of mother and daughter" also proves that when the fetus is under too much pressure, it will choose some extreme behaviors. This type of fetal escape from the uterus may cause premature birth in severe cases.

This change will also affect the fetal emotional, temperamental or psychological development through the embryo's blood circulation system, especially in the early stages. Extreme changes in the mother's mood may lead to abnormalities in the cleavage of the test tube embryo and cause deformities.

Therefore, pregnant women should maintain a good mood during pregnancy. It is not suitable to let themselves suffer from depression due to wild thoughts or upset. This will not only harm themselves, but also the baby in their belly.