Q. I am 13 weeks pregnant but since I’ve discovered the good news I’ve felt a bit lost and alone. I don’t understand why I feel like this – myself and my husband really want this baby. Do other mums feel this way?
A. You’re not alone in feeling this way. While pregnancy can be a positive time, roughly one in ten women suffers from anxiety or depression during pregnancy. There are no exact symptoms which define depression; it varies from person to person. Some people just feel sad; others feel irritable, tearful or useless and want to withdraw from life.
These emotions can be caused by the hormone changes that occur in your body during pregnancy or by a number of other things such as financial concerns; stressful life changes (new job, moving house etc.); the strains and stresses of pregnancy and caring for young children; pregnancy complication concerns; family or personal history of depression; abuse (past or present); or relationship difficulties and strains.
Some of the best ways to cope with any of these mild symptoms are to take it easy, get some exercise, be sure to talk about it (to friends or online with other people going through the same concerns) and consider therapy or counselling. Seeing a therapist is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that you are a good mum who’s willing to take the steps necessary to keep her baby and herself healthy. If in doubt always consult your doctor.
