Pregnancy and Depression - 5 Myths and Facts

Myth 1: A woman of childbearing age is no more vulnerable to depression than at any other time in her life.
False. Women, who are twice as likely as men to be clinically depressed at some point in life, are most vulnerable to depression during their childbearing years.1
Myth 2: The “perinatal” period in particular — the period immediately before and after childbirth — is a naturally happy one in a woman’s life, in which it’s abnormal to be depressed.
False. Depression, particularly in the period after giving birth, is common, affecting one new mother in seven, or about 14 percent, regardless of whether a woman was ever depressed previously.2
Myth 3: What doctors call “postpartum depression” (PPD) is just a fancy name for what has long been called the “baby blues.”
False. While it’s to be expected that new mothers will feel tired and/or depressed during the first week to 10 days after giving birth — the “baby blues” — sadness that persists beyond that point should be discussed with a doctor. The distinguishing feature of postpartum depression is the persistence of feelings that diminish a woman’s capacity or desire to perform her maternal functions.1
Myth 4: If you don’t get PPD right after you give birth, you won’t get it at all.
False. PPD can happen any time in the first year after a woman gives birth.
Myth 5: Depressed pregnant women should not take antidepressant drugs, and women with PPD should never take antidepressant drugs while they are breastfeeding.
As generalizations, these statements are untrue. While every woman should assess her own case in consultation with a qualified physician, taking into consideration risk factors particular to her own case (drawn in part from family and individual medical history), the best recent studies have demonstrated that the risks of taking antidepressant drugs either during pregnancy or after giving birth are no greater, and often less, than the risk of a depressed woman discontinuing her treatment. There are risks, to mother and baby, associated both with untreated depression and treatment with antidepressant drugs. In cases of serious depression, in particular, it is often judged much less risky to remain on medication than to stop it. In some cases, non-drug treatments are a good alternative.2
This article originally appeared in the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation's Research Quarterly and is reprinted with permission.
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This group provides support for family and friends of individuals with mental illness.
St. Joseph's Hospital/Breese
9515 Holy Cross Lane
Breese, IL 62230
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618-882-3306
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City Hope Bible Church
5868 West Florissant Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63120
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314-385-9129
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Depression Bipolar Support Alliance
907 Dock St
St Louis, MO 63147
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Emotions Anonymous International Headquarters
P.O. Box 4245
St. Paul, MN 55104
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651-647-9712
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Karla Smith Behavioral Health offers this support group for individuals and/or family members whose loved one experiences a mental health diagnosis.
Karla Smith Behavioral Health
200 North Lincoln
O'Fallon, IL 62269
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618-624-5771
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NAMI St. Louis
1810 Craig Road #124
St. Louis, MO 63146
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314-962-4670
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A Christian support group committed to ministering to the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Within an atmosphere of acceptance, compassion, and empathy we offer relevant information, and trustworthy resources related to issues commonly associated with and experienced by those who have a loved one affected by a neurological disorder or a chemical imbalance. We provide a place to share one’s faith in God and one’s personal experiences as we walk a similar path alongside a family member, friend, or loved one living with a serious mental illness.
Central Presbyterian Church
7700 Davis Drive
St. Louis, MO 63105
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Pat Grace
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Recovery, International
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312-337-5661
866-221-0302
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Email Chuck at johnbeerg13@gmail.com for info about group meetings in St. Louis, Union and Ste. Genevieve, MO.
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CenterPointe Hospital
4801 Weldon Spring Pkwy
St Charles, MO 63304
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Gregg Sansone
636-236-2267
greggsansone@hotmail.com