Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders

Perinatal Mood Disorders are related to mood and anxiety symptoms that occur during pregnancy or up to one year postpartum

What is it?

Perinatal Mood Disorders are related to mood and anxiety symptoms that occur during pregnancy or up to one year postpartum

      Disorders Related to Pregnancy

      • Depression during pregnancy
      • Pregnancy loss
      • Infertility

        Disorders Related to Postpartum

        • Postpartum depression
        • Postpartum anxiety
        • Postpartum psychosis

        Depression During Pregnancy

        • Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery is called perinatal depression. Researchers believe that depression is one of the most common complications during and after pregnancy. Factors that may increase the likelihood of depression during or after pregnancy can include; history of depression or substance abuse, family history of mental illness, inadequate support from family and friends, anxiety about the fetus, problems with previous pregnancy or birth, marital or financial problems, and young age.

        Pregnancy loss

        • Experiencing miscarriage at any point in pregnancy can be a shocking and devastating event. Many women struggle with physical and emotional pain and grief that is powerful and overwhelming. Miscarriage can leave women feeling numb, helpless and isolated from others. Common reactions to miscarriage are sadness, anger, and guilt and depression.

        Infertility

        • Infertility occurs in 10-15% of couples of reproductive age. Investigation of the causes of infertility and treatment can bring on a “life crisis” that can tax a couple’s existing problem-solving resources, threaten achievement of life goals, and awaken unresolved past difficulties.

        Postpartum Depression (PPD) & Postpartum Anxiety Disorders

        • Postpartum anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder appear to be as common as postpartum depression and even coincide with depression. Perinatal anxiety symptoms can include the following: panic attacks, hyperventilation, excessive worry, restless sleep, and repeated thoughts or images of frightening things happening to the baby.

        Postpartum Psychosis

        • Another form of Postpartum Depression is Postpartum Psychosis. Postpartum Psychosis is a serious illness that can be severe and life threatening. The psychotic symptoms include delusions (thoughts that are not based in reality), hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there) or disorganized thinking. Often mothers who develop postpartum psychosis are having a severe episode of a mood disorder, usually bipolar (manic-depression) disorder with psychotic features. It is essential for women to get evaluation and treatment immediately.

        Abortion and Causes of early pregnancy loss

        Abortion and Causes of early pregnancy loss

        Abortion and Causes of early pregnancy loss

        Pregnancy loss, also referred to as miscarriage or spontaneous abortion, is generally defined as a nonviable intrauterine pregnancy before 28 weeks of gestation.

        What is it?

        Pregnancy loss, also referred to as miscarriage or spontaneous abortion, is generally defined as a nonviable intrauterine pregnancy before 28 weeks of gestation. Early pregnancy loss, which occurs in the first trimester, is the most common type. The nonspecific symptoms of vaginal bleeding and uterine cramping associated with pregnancy loss can occur in normal, ectopic, and molar pregnancies, which can be a source of frustration for patients.

            Symptoms

            • Most miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy.

            • Signs and symptoms of a miscarriage might include:

              • Vaginal spotting or bleeding
              • Lower abdominal pain or cramps or lower back pain
              • Tissue passing from your vagina

              Causes

              • Problems with the genes or chromosomes
              • Uncontrolled diabetes
              • Infections
              • Hormonal problems
              • Uterus or cervix problems
              • Thyroid disease

              Risk factors

              • Various factors increase the risk of having an early pregnancy loss

                • Age. Women older than age 35 have a higher risk of miscarriage than do younger women. 
                • Previous miscarriages. Women who have had two or more consecutive miscarriages are at higher risk of miscarriage.
                • Chronic medical conditions. Women who have a chronic condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, have a higher risk of miscarriage.
                • Uterine or cervical problems. Certain uterine conditions or weak cervical tissues (incompetent cervix) might increase the risk of miscarriage.
                • Smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs. Women who smoke during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriage than do nonsmokers. Heavy alcohol use and illicit drug use also increase the risk of miscarriage.
                • Weight. Being underweight or being overweight has been linked with an increased risk of miscarriage.
                Invasive prenatal tests. Some invasive prenatal genetic tests, such as chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis, carry a slight risk of miscarriage.

              Prevention

              Often, there’s nothing you can do to prevent a miscarriage. Simply focus on taking good care of yourself and your baby:

              • Seek regular prenatal care.
              • Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and illicit drug use.
              • Limit your caffeine intake. 

               

              Components of preconception care

              Components of preconception care

              Preconception care

              Preconception care is a care that aims to maximize the gains for maternal and child health. It is the provision of biomedical, behavioral and social health interventions.

              What is it?

              Preconception care is a care that aims to maximize the gains for maternal and child health. It is the provision of biomedical, behavioral and social health interventions.

                  Purpose of preconception care

                  • Establish lifestyle behaviors to maintain optimum health
                  • Identify and treat risks
                  • Conceive a pregnancy without necessary risk factors
                  • Prepare people psychologically for pregnancy and the responsibilities of parenthood

                    The components of preconception care

                    • Screening for common medical illnesses during pregnancy
                    • Supplementing Iron and Folic acid
                    • Information, counseling and education
                    • Monitoring nutritional status
                    • Managing identified health problems
                    • Promoting physical activity
                    • Advising on cessation of smoking and alcohol intake 
                    • Vaccination 
                    • Continue a regular follow up at a nearby health care service provider
                    wpChatIcon