Treating Depression during Pregnancy: Safe Options for You and Your Baby

Pregnancy is supposed to be a happy time, so why do some expecting mothers have feelings of overwhelming doubt and anxiety? If you're feeling unsettled or sad, you may think there's something wrong with you as a parent—but these feelings are actually common. You may be one of the many mothers quietly struggling with depression during pregnancy. If so, you may feel hesitant to speak up about it, but getting treatment for depression is essential. You deserve to feel healthy and well as you prepare for childbirth. Prenatal depression can be challenging, but it is treatable—and getting better starts with understanding your treatment options. If you're concerned about taking antidepressants while pregnant and want to learn about other treatment methods, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) could be worth considering.

When Prenatal Depression Develops

Depression during pregnancy is more common than most people believe. Still, it can be difficult to recognize and can cause expecting mothers to doubt themselves. Experts estimate that between 14 and 23 percent of expecting mothers have depression symptoms during their pregnancy. Some women feel ashamed to admit they're struggling. Despite improved openness about depression, the stigma still exists. This can be especially challenging when pregnancy and motherhood are portrayed as only positive experiences. Further, emotional depression symptoms can be easy to write off as an overreaction to pregnancy hormones. Physical symptoms such as fatigue and appetite changes can also mimic typical aspects of pregnancy. Pregnant women most at risk for developing depression typically have experienced one or more of these issues:

• High levels of stress in daily life
• One or more current or previous mental health conditions, especially anxiety or depression
• Low levels of social support
• Involvement in an abusive or violent relationship

Emotional ups and downs can be common in pregnancy and after childbirth, as well. Each time a baby is born into a family, everyone goes through an adjustment. And the stronger presence of hormones, stress, and fatigue can all play a part. The difference between typical emotion swings and prenatal depression is that these symptoms persist and become worse, causing dysfunction. Ongoing sadness, constant crying, or feelings of disconnection are signs of something more serious. Talking with your doctor can help you understand if you may be experiencing depression.

Impacts of Delaying Treatment

Expecting mothers with depression often feel frustrated when pursuing depression treatment. They want to feel better, but in many cases, they're concerned about potentially exposing their babies to an increased risk of adverse impacts from starting antidepressant medication. Some expecting mothers delay medical treatment and endure their depression symptoms for weeks or months. Counseling therapy is a safe choice, but it may not be enough to help them feel like they can perform daily activities again. While some may be hesitant to seek treatment initially, untreated depression can ultimately cause more harm to mother and baby. Without effective depression treatment, an expecting mother may be less likely to take care of herself. Depression during pregnancy can lead to physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that interfere with healthy self-care habits. This may eventually lead to:

• Eating a diet lacking in nutritious food
• Inconsistent eating patterns
• Not drinking enough water
• Skipping prenatal medical appointments
• Engaging in risky behaviors like smoking or using substances

When a pregnant woman neglects her needs, she's not the only one at risk for consequences. Untreated depression during pregnancy is linked with low birth weight and preterm birth, both of which can cause long-lasting health issues for babies. Prenatal depression also increases the risk of developing a form of postpartum depression. "Baby blues" are a common period right after birth when a mother can feel more emotional or sad than normal. While the baby blues are mild and usually resolve on their own after a few weeks, postpartum depression is the presence of stronger, more persistent symptoms and requires treatment.

While all medications carry some risk, there are effective antidepressants used during pregnancy. However, if you don't feel comfortable taking antidepressants to treat your symptoms, don't avoid getting help altogether. Instead, consider a non-drug option like TMS. TMS treatment involves gentle magnetic pulses directed at specific areas of the brain that regulate emotion. A TMS device is placed close to your scalp to deliver these pulses for approximately 20 minutes. The average treatment course consists of 30 to 36 sessions spanning six to nine weeks. Experts think that TMS relieves depression symptoms by improving the way neurons communicate with each other. This positive effect has been shown to reduce symptoms as soon as the fourth week of treatment.

So, what makes TMS a safe option for you as an expecting mother? TMS is non-invasive and involves no medications. Some people experience mild discomfort, such as a brief headache. But these effects are typically short-lived, and most people feel comfortable going about their normal activities immediately after a treatment session. Nothing enters the bloodstream, and the magnetic pulses are not harmful to you or your unborn baby.

Prioritizing Treatment for Prenatal Depression

During pregnancy, you're more watchful than ever about what you put into your body. If you're experiencing depression, you may be weighing the pros and cons of antidepressant medication. Instead of putting off essential depression treatment, consider TMS therapy as a safe option. Keep both you and your baby healthy by getting the depression treatment you need.