Roughly a quarter of women who are pregnant will experience a mental health issue, including depression and anxiety. One expert says we need to talk more about this important issue.
"I think there is a lot of stigma around, really expressing any sort of negative emotions, at all, around having a baby or being pregnant," said Dr. Holly Hendin, a psychiatrist with Dignity Health Medical Group. "And I think a lot of women do experience that."
Hendin says it’s normal to feel stressed or even some sadness. It’s when those feelings affect a person’s ability to function that treatment might be required.
"So we usually think of medications like the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as being fairly safe in pregnancy, depending on how you take it when you take it," she said.
But a lot of women don't necessarily want to be taking medication during that period.
"In those cases, I would say, definitely having a support group, finding a therapist," Hendin said.
She also suggests reaching out to your OB/GYN, friends, family or your child's pediatrician, "and your pediatrician wants to know, because mom's mental health impacts baby's wellness and development. And so pediatricians have resources."
