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Antenatal Depression

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All pregnant women will experience emotional changes during pregnancy, these can include mood swings, anxiety, and changes in libido. For between 10 and 15% of pregnant women, depressive symptoms are so severe they last more than two weeks per episode, and interfere with the woman’s ability to function day-to-day.

Symptoms of antenatal depression include the following:

  • Inability to concentrate and difficulty remembering
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Anxiety about the pregnancy of becoming a parent
  • Feeling emotionally numb
  • Sleep problems (unrelated to pregnancy)
  • Extreme or unending fatigue
  • A desire to eat all the time or not eat at all
  • Weight loss or weight gain (unrelated to pregnancy)
  • Loss of interest in sex
  • A sense that nothing feels enjoyable or fun any more, including the pregnancy
  • Persistent sadness
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Around 50% of women who experience severe antenatal depression will go on to develop post natal depression. If you think you may be suffering from antenatal depression, you should seek assessment by a health care professional so that you can be provided with the appropriate treatment and support.

IF YOU THINK YOUR FAMILY WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU, OR YOU ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, CONTACT A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL IMMEDIATELY.

Mental Health Emergency Response Line    

1300 555 788    (all hours)

1800 676 822    (rural freecall)

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