According to the Centers for Disease Control (2013), last year approximately 8% of pregnant
women reported experiencing depressive symptoms. Prenatal depression has
multiple implications for the health of both mother and child. Small size for
gestational age, low birth weights, and pre-term deliveries are factors that
have been associated with children of mothers who experience depressive
symptoms during the prenatal period. (Muzik & Borovska, 2010). Additionally
pregnant women experiencing depression are less likely to seek out care, and
follow doctor recommendations for self-care and prenatal health which could be
harmful to both herself and the pregnancy (Muzik & Borovska, 2010).
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| Prenatal Mental Health |
On October 14,
2013 a new perspective on the effects of prenatal depression was published in
The Boston Globe. According to the article, new research has found a link
between prenatal depression and the child’s mental health (Salahi, 2013). According to data
from the British study of 4,500 parents and their children aged 18 and older
there may be a link between mother’s prenatal mental health and their child’s
(Salahi, 2013). Within the study, mothers completed a questionnaire designed
to assess for depression during the prenatal period. Results of the survey
indicated that children born to women who scored higher on the prenatal
depression questionnaire may have a higher risk of being diagnosed with
depression by the age of 18 (Salahi, 2013).
Furthermore, the United Nations Millennium Goals (2013) have placed a focus
on multiple public health issues including maternal health. In addition citing maternal, infant, and child health as priority, HealthyPeople 2020 (2013) cited mental health as a health priority for improving population
health. In order to achieve these standards, it seems that proper
treatment and screening of prenatal women for depression should be a routine
part of prenatal care.
Unfortunately even
though there has been an increase in awareness of these issues there are many
barriers that stand in the way of pregnant women receiving the adequate care.
According to a study by Muzik and Borovska (2010), pregnant women are less likely
to seek treatment than non-pregnant women. One of the reasons for pregnant
women not seeking care, for instance, is fear of the stigma associated with a
mental health related diagnosis (Muzik & Borovska, 2010). Therefore, as health care providers we need to continue combating the stigmas surrounding mental health and pregnancy to help encourage women to seek the care they need.
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| Supporting Prenatal Mental Health |
Despite
significant evidence about the prevalence of prenatal depression, few women are
properly diagnosed and treated by health care providers (Muzik & Borovska,
2010). This gap in proper mental health screening for pregnant women needs to
be amended in order to adequately serve this population and prevent the
unwanted outcomes that can result. More emphasis should be placed not only on
screening women during the prenatal period but also providing them with
appropriate treatment options and follow-up care to support the health of both
the mother and her child.
One fear some moms may face when deciding whether to seek help is what will happen to her family if she leaves for treatment. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has an inpatient psychiatric unit, the first in the nation, designed specifically for women suffering perinatal (prenatal and postpartum) mood disorders. Unlike regular inpatient pychiatric units, this one allows extended visiting hours that are open to children as well as adults. Keeping the entire family in mind, and promoting continued contact with their child(ren) rather than stark removal and distance from them seems to be a key part of the success of the unit. Hopefully, more units dedicated to the mental health of women will open across the country.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.parenting.com/article/new-help-for-moms-with-postpartum-depression?page=0,2
Great post, Caitlin. It's intriguing that this topic was touched upon, as it is becoming more and more prevalent. For so long most believed that pregnancy was nothing but a "happy experience" for women, and that hormones even protected against depression. However, the Baby Center website (http://www.babycenter.com/0_depression-during-pregnancy_9179.bc) notes that "at least one in ten pregnant women suffers from bouts of depression." Moreover, the website states, "hormonal changes can also make you feel more anxious than usual." These are serious issues that need to be monitored throughout pregnancy and diagnosed as soon as possible if discovered. Depression and/or anxiety can lead women to not properly eat, take prenatal vitamins, or stay as healthy as possible. It can lead to a very real danger to the woman and her baby. Psychiatric screening should be a section of checkups during pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing up this important topic. As an individual who has dealt with prenatal and post-partum depression, stigma about having a mental health diagnosis is a major barrier to seeking help or following through with treatment.
ReplyDeleteThank you Caitlin for introducing me to a topic that I have never read about before. It is unfortunate that there is such a palpable stigma concerning those with mental health disorders, especially during a period that should be so joyous. I think that although there are a lot of gaps in healthcare, research is showing more and more the importance of tying in psychosocial health with physical health and addressing each person as unique. I am glad that you included barriers to care because identifying barriers is the first step if they are to be resolved. I hope that more people read this research and depression screening becomes standard during pregnancy check-ups.
ReplyDeleteHi Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting on this topic. I think that it's crucial for expectant families (and really everyone) to be aware of prenatal and postpartum depression. I am curious about whether the research that was reviewed for this article took into account maternal age, socioeconomic status, relationship status, employment, cultural factors, and living situations. While I am aware that depression can affect anyone, it would be interesting to see if these factors have any play in prenatal depression.