What is antepartum depression?
Antepartum depression is depression that occurs during pregnancy. Once thought to be a time of “bliss” for the mother, we now know that more than 10% of pregnant women will have a depression. Furthermore, one half of these women will continue to be depressed in the postpartum period. This emphasizes the need and potential benefit of early intervention. Because the new mother is expected to be unfailingly happy, the stigma of mental illness is even more pronounced at this time in a woman’s life. Not surprisingly, she often keeps secret any thoughts and feelings of guilt and failure she has experienced. Because the pregnant depressed woman may be less likely to eat, sleep or tend to her prenatal care, the fetus may be placed at risk. Again, the optimal time for early identification is during the prenatal period.
