Pregnancy does not shield a woman from life. Unexpected events will continue to arise. Her emotional patterns will follow her as well. Job loss, relocations, bereavements, and separations can still happen. If she was already facing financial, work-related, marital, or family issues, they won’t simply disappear. On the contrary, they are likely to intensify, as the arrival of a baby disrupts roles and routines, gradually imposing challenges starting from pregnancy.
The changes brought by pregnancy are not just physical (which are already immense!) but also emotional. Therefore, the idea of a woman feeling completely fulfilled, happy, and content is far from reality, even for those who go through pregnancy without any illness. In addition to being a unique period—with all its ups and downs—it is also a time when depression and other mental disorders can emerge. However, it is possible to prevent them or at least make an early diagnosis, reducing potential harm to both the mother and the baby.
At least 10 out of every 100 women experience gestational depression. 20 out of every 100 experience postpartum depression, which often stems from undiagnosed gestational depression. This is why the DSM V has already considered changing the terminology to "perinatal depression," which covers the entire period. What do these data show us? That this is a phase in a woman's life when she is more susceptible to mental illness, contrary to what is commonly believed.
The healthcare professionals who support this woman should at least contribute to not amplifying this idealization and not be another to silence the pain of women. The negative aspects of this transition period exist and should be welcomed. And when they go beyond the limit and affect the quality of life of this woman, she should seek treatment. There are qualified professionals for this listening and perspective, and teamwork is essential.
On the contrary, unfortunately, some doulas, obstetricians, nurses, physiotherapists, and pediatricians have a false conception that, during pregnancy, women are more “protected” from psychological illnesses. Others prescribe antidepressants and tranquilizers without being specialists or having the ability to make a proper diagnosis and provide adequate follow-up. Still others are focused only on the baby, forgetting how much the physical and mental health of the child depends on that of the mother.
You, as a professional who cares for pregnant women, must be attentive to the signs of mental illness, which are harder to perceive since the normal symptoms of pregnancy can easily be confused with those of depression. It is essential to refer the pregnant woman as soon as possible to psychological and psychiatric care so that she can receive an appropriate evaluation and treatment.
