So, you’ve invested time, emotions and energy into trying to conceive when, finally, you see those two lines appear – you’re pregnant, celebration time! Or it should be, shouldn’t it?
Or, maybe you weren’t planning to fall pregnant just yet, but you have, and now you’re starting your own family – where’s the excitement?!
You find yourself questioning where those feelings of joy and excitement are and why you aren’t feeling them. “I wanted a baby for so long, so why can’t I connect with my growing bump?”, you might ask yourself. “Pregnancy is supposed to be the most amazing journey, why can’t I be happy like other moms?”, your head runs rampant with questions like these. After all, pregnancy is portrayed as being the most joyous time in a woman’s life. So why are there so many of us that suddenly and silently find ourselves asking those very questions? We all know about the baby blues, the period after birth that some mothers are overwhelmed with feelings of sadness, isolation and sometimes, even, depression. But, what about the pre-baby blues?
Antenatal Depression (AKA, Prenatal Depression)
Or as I previously mentioned the “pre-baby blues”, is a somewhat lesser spoken-of subject that affects just as many, if not more women as postpartum depression (AKA, the baby blues). So why is this condition not as well known as the other? It had been believed by professionals for many years that the hormones rushing through our bodies while pregnant actually protected women from such things as depression, until quite recently when it was discovered that this is not actually true; women are just as vulnerable to experiencing a period of depression before their baby is born, as they are afterwards. In fact, studies have shown that there is an increased risk of suffering from postpartum depression if the mom has suffered a bout of antenatal depression before her baby was born.
Surprised? So was I. Relieved to know you are not alone and most of all, you are not a bad mother-to-be? Me too (sigh)!
What now?
Luckily, more and more doctors, midwives and other professionals are becoming aware of how to watch for the signs in our ever precious moms-to-be, and once identified, there are many avenues open and available to treat this condition so you can get back to goo-ing and gah-ing over your growing human in your growing belly! Better yet, the earlier the condition is identified, the better your chances of avoiding postpartum depression becomes.
However, perhaps even more important than relying on a midwife to pick up on a sign (that let’s be honest, we can be pretty darn good at hiding!), it is important to make US aware – yes, us mommies need to be aware that what we are feeling might be more than just your average pregnant lady mood swing.. We need to be aware that if something feels just a bit wrong, then maybe your mommy instincts are right – it is! And most of all, let’s be aware that we can get help and we are not alone!
It was through this incredible experience that I re-discovered my passion for writing, for sharing my experiences and for inspiring others to follow their dreams. I won tripsacross continents, travelled across Western USA on a writing assignment and became a regular contributor to the travel brand Contiki.
It was also on this journey that life opened up a new door of adventure and opportunity; I fell in love, and I fell pregnant! Now, my passion for writing and inspiring has taken on a whole new meaning (and audience!).
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3 comments
Great article but I think that girl in the header photo is a child…like 12 years old. She even has hair on her legs.
Awesome Bec! Keep up the writing!
Great read Bec. Garry W