What can happen if depression is not treated?
Untreated depression can hurt you and your baby. Some women with depression have a hard time caring for themselves during pregnancy. They may: • eat poorly • not gain enough weight • have trouble sleeping • miss prenatal visits • not follow medical instructions • use harmful substances, like tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs Depression during pregnancy can raise the risk of: • problems during pregnancy or delivery • having a low-birth-weight baby • premature birth Untreated postpartum depression can affect your ability to parent. You may: • lack energy • have trouble focusing • feel moody • not be able to meet your child’s needs As a result, you may feel guilty and lose confidence in yourself as a mother. These feelings can make your depression worse. Researchers believe postpartum depression in a mother can affect her baby. It can cause the baby to have: • delays in language development • problems with mother-child bonding • behavior problems • increased crying It helps if your partn
