One in five mothers develop a mood disorder in pregnancy

Health during pregnancy it is a topic that worries many mothers. This aspect is often considered on a physical level, however, the emotional and mental well-being of the woman is also important. In fact, there are many mothers who develop a mood disorder during pregnancy and this is what we wanted to remember in the celebration of World Mental Health Day.

From the Marcé Española Society of Perinatal Mental Health, MARES, has wanted to focus on the pressures that women face during the pregnancy and the stigmas that accompany those that present problems at the mental level. An appeal that has centered the VII Day of Perinatal Mental Health.


The problem at home

From MARES, the data is clear: one in five women suffers from some type of disorder of mood or anxiety during pregnancy or motherhood. Problems that not only affect the mother, but flood the whole house altering the order and increasing even more the stress that is crossed in these.

"Although perinatal mental disorders mainly affect the mother and the baby," explains the doctor Grace Lasheras. Espa specialist adds that "they can also affect couples and the whole family including other children and the people who support their care". It is for this reason that professionals must take into account the couple and the family during the treatment of these problems.


Lasheras explains that "pregnancy is not a protective state for the mental health of women and postpartum is a time of more risk in this regard." The grounds? The social pressure and the stigmas that one of these problems can recognize. There are many expectations that the future mother generates and that she is constantly reminded.

On the other hand, many mothers prefer not to recognize this problem or ask for help when recognizing the symptom. Accepting this situation carries the stigma that these women are labeled as "bad". In fact, currently around 75% of women with perinatal mental disorders are not diagnosed or receive the appropriate treatment or help. "The stigma associated with mental illness during pregnancy and postpartum is an important barrier to detect and treat these women," concludes Lasheras.


Emotional support to the mother

From the NorthShore University HealthSystem, an affiliate of the University of Chicago, the following tips are offered to emotionally support the mother during pregnancy:

- Encourage her in times of sadness and reassure her in times of greatest stress.

- Ask about their needs, both physical and emotional.

- Demonstrate affection and emotional closeness, feel close support.

- Help her in the changes that the pregnancy brings, accompany her in the exercise sessions and visits to the prepartum classes.

- Ensure that you get enough rest during pregnancy. Lack of sleep is a very important source of stress.

- If there are other children at home, ensure that they respect the mother's situation and do not contribute to increasing their stress.

Damián Montero

Video: Coping with Anxiety and Depression During Pregnancy


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