Men can also become depressed during pregnancy
Being parents changes people's lives completely. Suddenly, new responsibilities appear, legal obligations and, above all, a new lifestyle that gives rise to Men can also become depressed during pregnancy. That is, the duty to care for and educate the children is acquired. But it is very different to live it from the point of view of the father or the mother.
The mother is gaining experience and surpassing herself during pregnancy, in an almost automatic and natural way. However, during these nine months, the father lives it from another perspective, he simply observes and becomes a participant in illusion, but he is not steeped in fatherhood like a mother.
Depression in the future dad
Therefore, it is much more common than it might seem that, a father subjected to so many psychological pressures during pregnancy, fall into a depression.
Mothers are the main protagonists of pregnancy, leaving the father in a secondary position. It is logical, because they are the ones who are developing the baby, and that is why a study of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, in Canada, which shows that many new parents have symptoms of depression during this period.
Becoming a father can become a difficult life circumstance and, although feelings of sadness, anxiety or irritability of the mother have been widely investigated, there are few analyzes on prenatal paternal depression.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, the experts measured several factors of the parents:
1. Mood
2. Physical activity
3. Quality of sleep
4. Social support
5. Marital relationship
6. Financial stress
7. Demography
Parental depression in figures
- The team recruited 622 men in Quebec for a period of one and a half years.
- 13.3% of these future parents experienced high levels of depressive symptoms.
- Most of the factors associated with depression were identified as modifiable.
- Men who were having difficulty sleeping had a higher risk of depression.
Causes of father depression during pregnancy
In general, it is difficult to determine the exact cause of depression. Although it has not been proven to be hereditary, some experts ask about a family history of depression. However, stress and excessive economic or work worries, pressures, personal or couple problems, separation or divorce, are also associated with depression.
Life changes can also destabilize a person, especially when expecting a baby, especially if it is the first child. What type of father you will be, how your relationship will change after the baby, doubts about job stability or being able to keep the job, the change of house to a bigger one or the formalization of the couple relationship are source of conficts for many people. Sometimes, even if your partner has depression during pregnancy, the possibility both fall into it, increases a little.
What happens to the depression of the future dad when the baby is born?
In some men, not in all, depression persists after the birth of the baby. Postpartum depression in novice parents is a real phenomenon, and is more common than previously thought, according to a study published in the Journal of the United States Medical Association. About 10% of men suffer from prenatal and postpartum depression, according to the study.
The researchers conducted an analysis of 43 studies on depression documented in parents between the first trimester and the first year after a child was born, involving more than 28,000 parents. In conclusion, the investigation revealed that Up to 25 percent of new parents suffered from depression between three and six months after birth. Although their analyzes did not determine the causes, the days of stress and extreme tiredness due to lack of sleep are among the main factors.
Tips for managing father depression
Going with your partner to maternal and paternal preparation classes, will help you overcome the fear of the unknown as they teach the care of the baby and talk about the new life with a child. They are usually very useful for parental preparation, especially from the emotional point of view, for your new role as a father. Plus:
1. Practice some physical or sports activity. Walking, swimming, biking, or running, on a regular basis, is very beneficial.
2. Take care of your diet. Switching to a healthier diet will not be difficult, considering that your partner will also want to eat healthier now that she is pregnant.
3. Regulate your sleep habits. Relax before going to bed to get comfortable sleep, try to go to sleep and wake up always at the same time.
4. Look for positive thoughts. Live your new life as a father as an opportunity.
5. Avoid alcohol and drugs. The important decisions that you have to face right now are not compatible with these stimulants.
6. Seek professional help. Using a psychologist or seeking a self-help group can be very beneficial in these circumstances.
Marisol Nuevo Espín
