Pregnancy is a beautiful thing -- accompanied by a laundry list of not-so-beautiful symptoms: morning sickness, back pain, swollen ankles, heartburn and gas. Perhaps less discussed are the mental health symptoms that accompany the surging hormones, anxiety about new motherhood, and worries about everything from whether our late-night snack fits with our child’s prenatal dietary needs to whether or not we will be able to provide for our bundle of joy and give him or her a lifetime of happiness. For the most part, these worries and anxieties are a normal part of pregnancy, but if the dread and stress become overwhelming, it may be a sign that there is something more serious brewing, according to new research.

A study published in Lancet Psychiatry found that postpartum depression often begins during pregnancy. This new study, which included more than 8,200 women, contradicts the conventional belief that postpartum depression was simply linked to a dramatic drop in hormone levels after giving birth. However, this same research seems to indicate that complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, occurred in 60 percent of mothers who experienced moderate postpartum depression, raising the possibility that this type of depression might be linked to glitches in the immune system.

Regardless of the cause, it is clear that postpartum depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all disorder, and staying on top of your mental health and your physical health during pregnancy and after childbirth is essential. The following tips will help you manage your mental health during this time of your life:

Pay Attention To Your Emotions

Pregnant women and new mothers need to take their feelings seriously. Jokes about the hormonal behavior of pregnant women and new mothers may cause some women to chalk these feelings up to “part of the process,” but they are anything but. No one knows your own body and state of mind better than you do, and if you suspect that you aren’t feeling right or find yourself increasingly consumed by feelings of sadness, worry or dread, you need to talk to someone you trust. If you don’t feel comfortable confiding in friends or family, or if they don’t take you seriously, you need to follow up with a healthcare provider or therapist who can help you manage these feelings and guide you toward recovery.


Make Time For You

Especially toward the end of pregnancy, your time becomes less and less your own. You will find yourself going to regular doctor visits to check the progress of your child, and you’ll have friends and loved ones stopping in to visit, plan baby showers, and help you prepare the house for your new arrival. It’s important during this time to stop and make some “you” time -- get your nails done or get a prenatal massage. Even taking a relaxing bath and reading a book can go a long way toward helping you with the stresses and worries that pregnancy and new motherhood can bring.

Finding a few minutes of quiet is even more important once your baby arrives. It can be overwhelming trying to “learn the ropes” of new motherhood, especially with what can feel like a never-ending stream of visitors coming to see your new family member. Instead of feeling like you have to be the gracious hostess, leave the entertaining to your partner and use the opportunity to take a nap, go for a walk, run an errand, or simply sit in a quiet room and decompress.

Accept Help

During your pregnancy, you may feel fatigue, nausea, back and body aches and pains and other symptoms that slow you down. You’ll also find that you’re limited in terms of what you can do, especially later in your pregnancy. And once that little bundle arrives, you’ll be amazed at how hard it can be to find time to cook a decent meal, take a shower, or complete a load of laundry. Although many new moms feel like they need to show the world that they can do it all or they like to have things done a certain way, there is nothing wrong with accepting help. It could take the form of meals, cleaning or laundry help, babysitting, or help with errands. Allowing others to take things off your shoulders will leave you feeling less stressed, less exhausted and better able to focus on your beautiful new baby.

Know That Depression Isn’t Your Fault

Depression has carried with it a negative stigma that makes many sufferers try to hide their symptoms and illness from even their close friends and family. Pregnant women and new mothers need to understand that they are not to blame for a perinatal mood disorder. There are many factors that contribute to pregnancy-related mood shifts and depression, and none of them are the fault of the mother or indicate any sign of weakness.

The Sooner You Seek Treatment, The Better Off You And Your Baby Will Be

Depression can be a progressive disorder. Seeking help as soon as you recognize that there is a problem developing may be the key to making a quick recovery and makes symptoms easier to manage. Further, these mood disorders can affect attachment and bonding between mother and child. For that reason alone, treatment should begin immediately.

Getting Help Isn’t Just For You

Anxiety and depression can snowball. In the days after childbirth, you will likely have guests coming and going from the home, helping and wanting to hold the baby. However, after those guests have left and you find yourself alone with a newborn, the overwhelming challenge of motherhood can quickly become exacerbated by having daily panic attacks and feelings of depression, which puts both you and your new baby at risk for things becoming worse.