ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION DURING PREGNANCY
Pregnancy can be a confusing and challenging time for women with a history of depression and/or anxiety. These women are often plagued by concerns about what is the optimal course of treatment and what medications are safe for the baby. Abstaining from treatment for anxiety and depression during pregnancy can pose a number of risks to both the mother and her unborn child, including:
- Mother: suicidal ideations; difficulty bonding with the baby; preterm labor; C-section; preeclampsia; alcohol or drug abuse; postpartum depression/anxiety; and poor physical health
- Fetus: premature birth, low APGAR score, respiratory distress, poor adaptation outside the womb
Fortunately, there are a number of therapeutic and medical treatment options for women suffering from anxiety and depression during pregnancy. With the proper treatment team in place, comprised of appropriate specialists, therapists and physicians, problematic symptoms can be controlled without harming mother or child.
At OBGYN on the Park, with convenient office locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, NY, our well-respected team of board certified Obstetricians/Gynecologists are highly experienced treating problematic emotional and hormonal issues facing pregnant women and new mothers. We will work closely with you and the appropriate specialists to manage your anxiety and depression during your pregnancy and/or after giving birth, and will take all measures necessary to ensure the safety and health of you and your child.
POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD)
While many women experience temporary mood swings and crying spells immediately after birth, some new mothers suffer from a more prolonged, severe set of depressive symptoms, referred to as post-partum depression (PPD). The causes of PPD include a series of physical changes a woman’s body goes through after birth, such as: severe drop in estrogen and progesterone levels; changes in blood pressure, blood volume, and metabolic rate; decreased production of hormones produces by the thyroid gland; and immune system changes. Sleep deprivation and emotional factors can also exacerbate the condition of PPD, which frequently includes one of more of the following symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Debilitating fatigue
- Mood swings
- Trouble bonding with the baby
- Intense anger and irritability
- Loss of interest in sex
- Introversion, withdrawn from friends and family
- Loss of joy, sense of apathy
- Sense of guilt, inadequacy or shame
- Thoughts of harming self or baby
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Every woman’s emotional and mental health needs are different, and after evaluating your general health, medical history, severity of current symptoms, and personal preferences, your OBGYN on the Park treatment provider will create a uniquely customized treatment plan that is designed to address your pregnancy-related anxiety/depression in a manner that is safe for you and your child, and (if necessary) will connect you with the appropriate mental health care providers and support networks.
Some of the most common treatment modalities for pre- and post-partum anxiety and depression include:
- Antidepressants
- Hormone Therapy
- Counseling
- Alternative treatment options:
- Light therapy
- Acupuncture
- Vitamin and supplement regimen including omega-3 essential fatty acids
Contact OBGYN on the Park
At OBGYN on the Park, we take pride in providing a superior level of patient care and clinical expertise in a compassionate and comfortable environment. Our exceptional staff members are experts in the field of Obstetrics/Gynecology and all our physician are faculty members at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. As a patient at OBGYN on the Park, you will experience an unparalleled level of attentiveness and responsiveness—we will always make time to thoroughly address every question and concern you might have, and will work tirelessly to ensure that your experience is a positive one.
Our multidisciplinary approach involves cooperative collaboration with your primary care physician and a network of highly esteemed specialists (when necessary) in order to create a customized treatment plan that meets your unique obstetric/gynecological concerns. We look forward to speaking with you, and to scheduling your initial appointment with one of our board certified physicians.