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GuideWisdom™

This WisdomCard managed by: Tara Salamone

Antepartum depression, is a mood disorder just like clinical depression. Mood disorders are biological illnesses that involve changes in brain chemistry. During pregnancy hormone changes can affect brain chemicals, which is directly related to depression and anxiety. These can be exacerbated by difficult life situations, which can result in depression during pregnancy.

Fast Facts:

• --Antepartum depression affects 10-20% of pregnant women.
• --Untreated depression during pregnancy can have potential dangerous risks to the mother and baby.
• --Untreated depression can lead to poor nutrition, drinking, smoking and suicidal behavior, which can cause premature birth, low birth weight and developmental problems.

5 Great Resources on Antepartum Depression

• American Pregnancy Association: Depression During Pregnancy
• iParenting: Recognizing and Treating Antepartum Depression
• Psych Guide: Major Depression During Conception and Pregnancy: A Guide for Patients and Family
• American Public Media: Suffering for Two: The Bind of Maternal Depression
• Cleveland Clinic: Treating Depression in Pregnancy: Practical Suggestions

What is Antepartum Depression?

• Expectant Mother's Guide: Facts about Antepartum Depression
• CBS News: "Baby Blues" Not Just Post-Partum
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIH): What is Depression? What are the different forms of depression?
• Texas Medical Center: Meet Antepartum Depression, Postpartum's Less-Famous Cousin

What Are The Symptoms of Antepartum Depression?

• Canadian Family: Antepartum Depression: The Before Baby Blues
• Gather: Those Unpredictable Emotions
• Healthwise (via WebMD): Symptoms of Depression | Interactive Tool - Are You Depressed?
• WellMother: Depression During Pregnancy and Postpartum: Signs and Symptoms

What Are The Causes and Complications of Antepartum Depression?

• Pregnancy Center: The Unenthusiastic Partner - Coping with Lack of Support in Pregnancy | Alone: Facing an Unexpected Pregnancy Without a Partner
• Obstetirics & Gynegology: Health, Sociodemographic Data, and Pregnancy Outcome in Women With Antepartum Depressive Symptoms
• WebMD: Antidepressant Use May Harm Fetus
• WebMD: What Causes Depression - Video Depression - What Increases Your Risks?
• Doctor's Guide: New Type Of Antidepressant Safe For Pregnant Women

What Are The Treatments and Medications for Antepartum Depression?

• The American Journal of Psychiatry: An Open Trial of Morning Light Therapy for Treatment of Antepartum Depression
• Family Practice Notebook: Grief in Pregnancy Loss
• Postpartum Progress: Study Highlights Disconnect Between Perceptions of Women and Doctors on Postpartum Depression
• About.com: Depression Meds in Pregnancy and lactation
• American Pregnancy Association: What is the Treatment for Depression During Pregnancy?

Wisdom, Personal Experiences and Blogs about Antepartum Depression

• Boston.com: The Pregnancy Taboo
• Postpartum Progress: Sportscaster in Philly Shares Her Story of Antepartum Depression
• Strollerderby: Not Every Pregnant Woman Glows
• BlogHer: Is The Happy Pregnant Lacy A Myth?
• Faces of PPD: My Story

Foundations and Support Groups on Antepartum Depression

• Meetup: Depression Meetups | Postpartum Depression Meetups | New and Expecting Parents Meetups
• NIH: Where can I go for help?
• The Marcé Society: Mental Health Support for Babies and Their Mothers

Message Boards, Chat and Discussions about Antepartum Depression

• HealthBoard: Pregnancy Message Boards | Depression Message Boards
• Yahoo Groups: Support:Prenatal & Postnatal Depression | Depression and Pregnancy
• WebMD: Pregnancy Message Boards
• MotheringDotCommune: Postpartum board

Scientific and Medical Journal Articles on Antepartum Depression

• Journal of the American Medical Association: Antepartum Depression Articles
• PubMed: Antepartum Depression Articles
• GoogleScholar: Antepartum Depression Articles

Clinical Trials on Antepartum Depression

• Clinicaltrials.gov: Antepartum Depression trials

Related WisdomCards

• Pregnancy
• Depression
• Postpartum Depression
• Postpartum Psychosis
• Antidepressants
• Postpartum Depression More Common Than Once Thought
• Childbirth
• Natural Remedies for Childbirth Recovery

User Recommended Links for Antepartum Depression

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