Is it normal pregnancy or is it perinatal depression?
- Jamie Sorenson
- Jan 2, 2025
- 1 min read
Updated: Jan 13, 2025
I see so many more moms preparing for a subsequent pregnancy following a postpartum episode rather than during the pregnant or postpartum episode. It pretty much breaks my heart that they don’t get in the first time during their original struggles. A lot of moms think it’s normal to feel down and depressed during pregnancy. It’s really not, it is normal to feel fatigued and exhausted and like you don’t want to do much, but you should be able to enjoy things as much as usual when you actually do them. So remember if you’re down or not enjoying things like usual more days than not for two weeks or more, let your doctor know. If it’s at the two week mark, it’s not too early to treat. The earlier you get treatment, the easier it is to treat a perinatal or postpartum episode. Also, the most significant risk factor for postpartum depression is depression during pregnancy (sometimes called perinatal depression). Untreated depression during pregnancy and postpartum can greatly impact yours and baby's quality of life, health status, and bonding.
I actually think this is a really good place for friends and family to advocate for pregnant and postpartum women to get mental health treatment. It’s so hard to know you’re in the weeds while you’re going through them, then after everything clears you’re like holy crap!?!?! What was that?
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