Understanding Perinatal Depression: Signs, Symptoms, and Seeking Help

Are you someone who is fascinated by all the pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood stuff few people talk about because they're too embarrassed? If so, welcome to the motherload of all things taboo, or at least really wild and interesting. The Asking for a Pregnant Friend podcast is based off the book of the same name and dives into all of the pregnancy, birth, and mothering topics that make many people blush or scratch their heads. I do all the boring research so you don't have to and bring you interviews with the leading experts in the topics I cover. I also share all the things about myself, Bailey Gaddis. I'm all about TMI. You'll also hear stories from brave women who gave permission to have their stories shared. So come along, my friend, on a journey into the beautiful underbelly of making, growing, and raising babies.

Pretty much all of us have heard about postpartum depression, but something that many women aren't as familiar with is perinatal depression. This episode sheds light on this condition, which develops during pregnancy due to hormonal shifts, life changes, and genetic factors. Learn about the subtle symptoms that can be easily mistaken for typical pregnancy experiences, and understand when it is crucial to seek professional help. We discuss the importance of talking to your care provider if you feel persistently sad, overwhelmed, or if these feelings impact your quality of life.

If your doctor suspects perinatal depression, they may refer you to a mental health specialist and potentially recommend safe medications. Remember, support and relief are available, and you don't have to suffer in silence. Tune in to gain insights and practical advice on navigating perinatal depression.

Are you newly pregnant and overwhelmed by the prospect of navigating this journey? Are you hoping to find calm, empowerment, and transformation but don't know how to make that happen? Enter the book Feng Shui Mommy, Creating Balance and Harmony for Blissful Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood. This holistic companion offers in-depth guidance through all four trimesters, providing specific suggestions for mind, body, and spirit nourishment. Welcome delight and curiosity into your journey while embracing each phase with purpose and calm. Get your copy from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and other major retailers.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Are you someone who is fascinated by all the pregnancy, childbirth,
and motherhood stuff few people talk about because they're too embarrassed?
If so, welcome to the motherload of all things taboo, or at least really wild and interesting.
The Asking for a Pregnant Friend podcast is based off the book of the same name

(00:21):
and dives in to all of the pregnancy, birth, and mothering topics that make
many people blush or scratch their heads.
I do all the boring research so you don't have to and bring you interviews with
the leading experts in the topics I cover.
I also share all the things about myself, Bailey Gaddis. I'm all about TMI.

(00:45):
You'll also hear stories from brave women who gave permission to have their
stories shared. So come along, my friend, on a journey into the beautiful underbelly
of making, growing, and raising babies.
Music.

(01:09):
Pretty much all of us have heard about postpartum depression,
but something that many women aren't as familiar with is perinatal depression.
So this essentially is a depression that develops during pregnancy.
And this, much like postpartum depression,

(01:32):
is due to or can be due to a shift in hormones, life changes,
you know, getting pregnant can be very exciting, but can also be very,
very scary, all of that impending change.
And genetics can also play a factor. You know, if depression runs in your family,
you might be more susceptible to developing perinatal depression.

(01:56):
And a tricky thing about perinatal depression is, especially if it's not too
intense, is a lot of the symptoms can feel pretty similar to pregnancy symptoms, right?
Fatigue, mood swings, cravings, some anxiety, feeling overwhelmed,
having like a fuzzy brain.
Of course, if it gets into the realm of a woman feeling suicidal, like she shouldn't.

(02:22):
Be here like everyone would be better off without her that
is definitely an emergency and requires immediate attention
from a professional but you know
if you are experiencing some of these symptoms and
if you feel like it is really impacting your
quality of life even if you think you know these are probably just
normal symptoms of pregnancy i still

(02:45):
highly recommend that during a prenatal visit
you let your care provider know you know let them know
how you're feeling and say do you have
any ideas on what i should do you
know can you help me determine if this is actually
perinatal depression or if this is just something that's kind of
fleeting um and that's one way to kind of tell as well

(03:05):
is you know say you have some circumstance that happens and
it really bums you out and you're feeling like extra down extra
moody for about a week or so but then it goes away that's probably
just circumstantial but you know if you just consistently feel sad like you
don't feel like doing the things you normally want to do like you're just so
exhausted you can like barely lift a finger and again if it's really really

(03:28):
impacting your quality of life your work your relationships i think it is definitely
worth speaking to your care provider about.
If your doctor suspects that you do potentially have perinatal depression,
they will likely refer you to a mental health specialist who specializes in
pregnancy and depression.
And if it is severe enough, they might recommend medication.

(03:54):
And there are antidepressants that can be prescribed to pregnant women.
In so there is potential relief out
there if you're really really feeling down during
during pregnancy you know don't suffer
in silence go and seek that support if you can like subscribe comment that would

(04:15):
be so incredibly helpful that will allow me to keep providing this content for
you guys all right love you are you newly pregnant and overwhelmed by the prospect
of navigating this journey?
Are you hoping to find calm, empowerment, and transformation but don't know how to make that happen?
Enter the book Feng Shui Mommy, Creating Balance and Harmony for Blissful Pregnancy,

(04:41):
Childbirth, and Motherhood.
This book is a holistic companion for pregnant women who wish to awaken their
spirit, harness the true potential of their mind, and nourish their body before,
during and after childbirth.
This book provides in-depth guidance through all four trimesters,
offering specific suggestions for mind, body, and spirit nourishment.

(05:05):
It allows mothers to welcome delight and curiosity into the journey while embracing
each phase with purpose and calm, and even a sense of fun.
You can get your copy from Amazon or from Barnes & Noble, Target,
and everywhere else books are sold. Whoa, whoa.
Music.