What to do about depression during pregnancy? 7 tips to help you solve

Many pregnant women are cut off from the outside world due to the inability to move much during pregnancy, and develop symptoms of pregnancy depression syndrome, which is very common among women in modern society. However, long-term depression will not only have certain adverse effects on one's own health, but will also seriously affect the development and growth of the fetus in the womb. In fact, relieving physical discomfort, sharing and listening, regular exercise and sun exposure, family support, psychological counseling, nutritional supplements and distraction are all very good treatments. Friends in need can try them. I believe there will be good results.

1. Relieve physical discomfort:

When you are pregnant, there is a fetus in your belly. The mother must create an environment and nutrition supply that is conducive to the growth of the fetus. Therefore, she has to face changes in hormones, nutrient deficiencies, fetal weight gain, etc. These changes will put a burden on the body. Dr. Su Yuping reminds you that relieving physical discomfort can help stabilize your emotions during pregnancy.

2. Sharing and listening:

The physical health of pregnant mothers is the most important, and physical health and emotions interact with each other. Dr. Su Yuping said that if you have any physical discomfort or worry about the fetus during pregnancy, you can ask a professional obstetrician and gynecologist for their opinions and ideas, or talk to friends, colleagues, and family around you. Listen to everyone's opinions and you will find that things are not as complicated as you imagined.

3. Regular exercise and sun exposure:

It is an indisputable fact that regular exercise is good for health, but most modern people do not like to exercise. Dr. Su Yuping said that for pregnant women, regular exercise can not only keep a happy mood and relax the body, but also strengthen the muscle strength of the waist, abdomen and pelvic floor muscles through exercise, which is helpful for the delivery process. He suggested that pregnant mothers who do not have the habit of exercising should take at least 30 minutes a day to walk outdoors and bask in the sun, which can help stabilize their physical condition and emotions.

4. Family support:

Pregnancy is not just the mother's business. Dr. Su Yuping recommends that you can make an appointment with your significant other to go with you when exercising, doing prenatal checkups or attending mother classes. This will allow your husband to understand the entire pregnancy process and he will naturally be able to think from the pregnant mother's perspective and become a strong supporter.

5. Psychological counseling:

There are many channels for professional psychological counseling. Dr. Su Yuping said that in Taiwan's medical environment, psychological counseling often requires self-payment and ongoing consultations. If the financial situation permits, this is an option. However, if you are emotionally overwhelmed for a moment, in an emergency, you can seek help from relevant organizations such as the "Mr. Zhang Foundation Counseling Hotline" and the "Taipei City Lifeline Association Hotline". You can also seek help from a psychiatric clinic and seek help from professional doctors to get out of the low point. He reminded that not only people with mental illness need to see a psychiatrist!

6. Nutritional supplements:

Because depression is related to the central nervous system, some small studies have found that Omega-3 can help activate brain function. Dr. Su Yuping said that the nutrient Omega-3 can help pregnant mothers stabilize their emotions, prevent depression, and is also helpful for the development of the fetal brain. Whether it is obtained from natural foods or nutritional supplements, the time and amount of consumption should be confirmed with the obstetrician and gynecologist.

7. Divert attention:

Shifting attention from things that trigger negative emotions to other things can help people escape from negative emotions. Dr. Su Yuping suggests that you can spend more time on things you like, such as: eating delicious food, watching movies, singing, shopping, and getting in touch with nature.

There are many physical discomforts to be faced during pregnancy. You should try to keep a normal mind, know how to relieve stress and soothe your emotions, and don't worry too much. Remember, a happy mother will give birth to a happy baby.