It’s important to understand the risks and warning signs of mental illness during pregnancy so you can take preventive action or be better prepared. After all, this affects not just you, but also your unborn child. Before diving into the subject of maternal mental health during pregnancy, let’s address the elephant in the room.
Mental Health Risks During Pregnancy
Everyone’s experience of motherhood and pregnancy is different. For some women, feelings may be mixed or even negative. This is understandable as we all have unique personalities and different coping skills.
Some find it hard to adjust to the physical changes and the responsibilities of pregnancy. The lack of support, past experiences, and personal circumstances can contribute to uncertainty, stress, and other negative emotions. When these feelings are persistent and often irrational, they could be indicative of an underlying mental illness.
Mental health problems during pregnancy and after birth are more common than most people realize, affecting an estimated 1 in 5 women.
Generalized anxiety disorder and depression are the most common mental illnesses affecting women during pregnancy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15.6% of pregnant mothers experience depression which if left untreated, leads to risk of self-harm and inability to function properly.
As is the case for other people, pregnant women are also vulnerable to a variety of other mental disorders beyond depression and the severity varies significantly. In some cases, a pre-existing condition may only be identified during pregnancy.
It is also worth noting that anxiety and stress levels tend to rise, reaching their highest during the third trimester, often linked with the fear of childbirth, especially for first-time mums.
Impacts of Pregnancy Mental Illnesses
The impact of mental well-being and emotional health on pregnancy, labour or childbirth, and subsequent motherhood is also widely recognized today.
Studies show that prenatal depression and anxiety can be linked to a higher risk of postnatal depression and anxiety. Similarly, women who have suffered depression or other mental illnesses before getting pregnant are more likely to experience depression again.
Prenatal mental disorders are also associated with:
- Stillbirths
- Premature births
- Low birth weight
- Pregnancy complications
- Need for operative births
Warning Signs of Mental Illness During Pregnancy
While it’s normal to experience some of these symptoms in isolation or sporadically, they can be indicative of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders if you experience more of them persistently:
- Fatigue or daytime lethargy
- Appetite loss
- Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed
- Increased tendency to isolate yourself
- Mood swings with increased irritability
- Heightened feelings of anxiety, fear, and helplessness, especially with regard to the pregnancy and your baby
- Difficulty focusing and chaotic thoughts
Protecting Your Mental Health During Pregnancy
If you suffer from pre-existing conditions that increase the risk of mental illness, it is imperative that you first manage the underlying condition. For example, chronic pain disorders like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and IBS are associated with a greater prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental disorders.
Sleep impairment and sleep disorders can be both a cause and symptom of mental illness too. In some cases, treating the sleep disorder also helps relieve symptoms of mental illness. No matter the cause, these conditions can be treated with a variety of approaches, allowing mums to achieve mental wellbeing during pregnacy.
Medication
Some psychiatric medications can pose a risk during pregnancy and so you should speak to your healthcare provider before starting any treatment. However, not all medicine pose a risk and your doctor can decide on the best course of action depending on your symptoms, history, and other factors.
Therapy
Non-medicated approaches to managing mental illness can be particularly effective for chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. Such approaches can include counselling, behavioural therapy, and expert-led support groups, where you can talk with a skilled therapist or other women who have had similar experiences.
Other Non-Treatment Measures
Not every therapeutic practice requires specialized care and treatment. Studies show that meditation, prenatal yoga, exercise, and physical activity can help lower stress levels and promote feelings of well-being.
Even talking to loved ones and spending time doing things you enjoy can significantly improve your mental well-being.
How Malaica Can Support Your Mental Wellbeing During Pregnancy
At Malaica, we understand that proper pregnancy care goes beyond routine medical and clinical checkups. That’s why our antenatal care clinics comes with multiple layers of support involving various experts, including a virtual psychologist specialized in maternal mental health. Whether you’re dealing with prenatal anxiety, low mood swings, persistent sadness, or feelings of hopelessness during pregnancy, Malaica ensures you’re well taken care of whenever the need arises.
Our exclusive and expert-led WhatsApp mum groups further provide you with the peer support and reassurance you need at every stage of pregnancy as you learn wellbeing tips that have worked for other women. And in case of an emergency, our 24/7 hotline, available to women receiving care at Malaica, is there to listen and offer mental health emergency solutions anytime of the day or night.
Curious how we can empower your mental health right from preconception, through pregnancy, and during postpartum? Book a consultation with Malaica Maternity Hospital to learn more.