Affect of Depression During Pregnancy on Mother and Baby

Here's a simplified version:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) says that 10% of pregnant women and 13% of new moms worldwide have depression. In developing countries, it's even higher: 15.6% during pregnancy and 19.8% after childbirth.

• Depression during pregnancy can cause problems for both the mom and the baby:

1.It makes preterm birth more likely, which is when the baby is born too early, before 37 weeks.

2.It also increases the chance of the baby being smaller and weighing less than expected at birth.

• Depression during pregnancy can affect how the baby acts, making them more fussy, less active, less focused, and less expressive than babies of moms without depression.

• If depression isn't treated, it can cause mental and learning issues for the child later in life, like trouble with school, language, and managing emotions.

• Depression during pregnancy can lead to other problems like difficult delivery, a higher chance of needing a cesarean section, and depression after childbirth.

• In serious cases, untreated depression during pregnancy can lead to thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harming the unborn baby, which is dangerous for both the mom and the baby.

Source:- 1. Jahan, N., Went, T. R., Sultan, W., Sapkota, A., Khurshid, H., Qureshi, I. A., & Alfonso, M. (2021). Untreated Depression During Pregnancy and Its Effect on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 13(8), e17251. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.17251 

Source:-2. Maternal depression and child development. (2004). Paediatrics & child health, 9(8), 575–598. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/9.8.575 

Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment. Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki. 

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