Depression during pregnancy (also known as antenatal depression) affects 10–20% of expectant mothers. It’s important to talk to a healthcare professional about symptoms as early as possible. With the right support, full recovery is possible. Äimä ry offers peer support for expecting mothers. However, peer support does not replace professional help from healthcare services.

Causes of depression during pregnancy

The causes of depression during pregnancy may be related to the future mother’s changing hormonal activity. Extensive hormonal changes happen in all pregnant women. However, not everyone falls ill with depression. Conflicting ideas about becoming a mother, such as difficulty reconciling a career with motherhood, or other unresolved difficulties in life may be looming in the background. Fear of future childbirth can also be a triggering factor in depression.

Depression during pregnancy may be linked to a previous history of depression, but it can also occur even if the expectant mother has never been diagnosed with depression before. Risk factors include but are not limited to various social and situational stressors such as the lack of social support, the mother being young, single parenthood, unplanned pregnancy, substance abuse problems or Immigration within the past few years. Previous history, traumatising experiences, and relationship difficulties can also increase the risk of developing antenatal depression. Depression can also result from a difficult pregnancy, such as severe nausea experienced during pregnancy (hyperemesis).

Depression during pregnancy may be followed by postpartum depression. Especially if the depression experienced during pregnancy was left untreated or without adequate support.

Symptoms of depression during pregnancy

Symptoms of pregnancy depression may include:

• Fatigue.
• Trouble sleeping: The expectant mother cannot sleep, wakes up early or sleeps all the time.
• Feeling worthless and losing all joy in life.
• Uncertainty about her future motherhood.
• Experiences of inferiority.
• Feeling low most of the time.
• Fearful thoughts relating to childbirth and caring for the unborn baby.
• Noticeable changes to appetite.
• Trouble with depleted interest in sex.
• Feelings of utter hopelessness.

Treatment of depression during pregnancy

Seek professional medical help early enough!

Depression during pregnancy is mainly treated with gentle treatment methods, such as conversational support. The conversational support can be given by, for instance, a psychologist, a psychiatric nurse, or a psychotherapist. If the condition of the expectant mother (and the baby growing in the womb) is very poor, medication can also be used. The prescriber of the medication should be a psychiatrist and the medication should be started after careful deliberation.

When it comes to depression during pregnancy, it is best to seek help without much hesitation. At worst, a mother that has fallen ill with depression can harm both herself and her baby. It is not a sign of weakness but rather one of strength to seek help.

You can ask any of the following for help:

• Your maternity clinic nurse. The number one place for expectant mothers seeking help is always their own maternity clinic (neuvola). The maternity clinic is there to help, and it is their responsibility to tell you where to find further professional help.
• Psychologists and psychiatric nurses. From private health care providers, local health centre psychologists, or depression nurses.
• Private psychotherapists are paid but very skilled professionals. You can also investigate whether the psychotherapist is qualified to provide Kela-reimbursed therapy, in which case you will receive financial support for the sessions. Ask for a referral to a psychotherapist from a psychiatrist.
• Good psychiatrists work in both the public and the private sector.
• The child-rearing and family counselling clinic
• Social workers specialising in families
• An early interaction therapist in your area. This is now also Kela-reimbursed.
• Äimä ry has several peer support mothers and members who have experienced depression during pregnancy. You can read more about our means of support here.

(Source: psychologist, special level psychotherapist Suvi Laru from Väestöliitto ry, The Family Federation of Finland)

Support for Treatment

It’s important to seek professional help from healthcare services for depression during pregnancy. Äimä ry offers peer support alongside professional care.

The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters also provides support during pregnancy. Through them, you for example can request a volunteer doula to support you during childbirth, which may help ease birth-related worries. You can find more information about the services offered by the federation and its member associations on their website.