nearly 20 wks pregnant and feel dipressed ?

Hello.

According to a systematic review the prevalence of depression during pregnancy is about 7.4% in the first trimester (up to 12 weeks) and the prevalence increases to 12.8% in the second trimester (12 - 24 weeks). You may have to keep a regular watch on your depression symptoms throughout the pregnancy. There are a few anti-depressants which are considered safe even during pregnancy. You may choose to try those with your doctor's prescription and advice. Most depressive symptoms are expected to reduce after the delivery, as there are hormonal changes taking place in your body. But you may need to watch out for the post-partum depression. Studies have shown that women who have been depressed before or during pregnancy are more prone to post partum depression. The good news is that you have been able to identify your symptoms, and hence you are likely to find a timely solution if you do experience post partum depression.

Hope this helps. Take care.

Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD


(This post is for the purpose of providing medical information and is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a doctor. This post is not intended to give or rule out a diagnosis, create a doctor-patient relationship or replace an existing one. I am not able to diagnose medical conditions online. Please consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment options)