Stress During Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression

How Does Pregnancy Stress Affect My Baby?

• Stress hormones in the mother can penetrate the placental wall, and the placenta always does its job of protecting It cannot provide 100%. Less blood flows to the mother's uterus and placenta; oxygen distribution decreases. (15% of the stress is transferred to the baby.)

• But despite this, the baby, who is exposed to stress during pregnancy, copes better with a social stressor in daily life after birth. So, if I never experienced stress in my first home, I cannot cope with stress when I encounter it for the first time in the next home I was born into. It's like gaining immunity... Because as we experience stress, our capacity to cope with stress improves. Dosage is always important.

• In addition, the baby is more protected against stress thanks to a special enzyme secreted in the 2nd Trimester (14-27th week, second 3 months). This enzyme transforms cortisol.

What Can Chronic Stress Cause?

Prenatal period (before birth) :     Miscarriage

                                                         Premature birth

                                                         Low birth weight

In the postnatal period (After birth): Eating/breastfeeding problems

Problems

                                                                Digestive problems

                                              Excessive crying

                             Restless nature

                        Difficult temperament

>                                                             Adjustment, attention, memory problems

                  Hyperactivity

          ; Depression

 

Pregnancy Depression

 

• 30% in TR depression during pregnancy

• The biggest risk factor for postpartum depression is depression during pregnancy.

• 2 out of 5 mothers in Turkey Most of them experience postpartum depression.

 

Postpartum Blues

 

• It is seen in 8 out of 10 mothers. (80%)

• It appears within the first 10 days.

• It may last from 1-2 days to 2 weeks.

• Crying spells, emotional imbalances, anxious mood

• This situation is very natural. If it does not change within 2 weeks, we can suspect postpartum depression.

Postpartum Depression

 

• Depressive symptoms: persistent feeling sad, anxious or empty, loss of interest in previously interesting activities, including sexual activities, unusual tiredness, low energy level, appetite loss or overeating, sleep disturbances and insomnia, waking up too early or too late, feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, social withdrawal, impairments and difficulties in concentration, memory and decision-making, unusual restlessness and irritability, headaches, digestive problems, Thoughts about suicide or self-harm.

• Inability to feel anything for the child,

• Attachment problems,

• Obsessive thoughts about harming the child,

• Fear that something will happen to him/her,

• Feeling inadequate and fear of sharing this, (taboo… idealized motherhood role in society)

• Feeling of loneliness,

• Suicidal thoughts,

 

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