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With the significant new experience and change in a female’s life that comes with pregnancy – depression will arise for approximately 14% of all pregnant women.
The diagnosis of depression is becoming more common in our society, with the most common course of treatment being the use of anti-depressants. Most people are well aware of the effects and side effects of anti-depressants with some studies saying that in only 1/3 cases they will have the desired results. There is also concern for leaving depression untreated during pregnancy with a detrimental effect for both mother and baby.
Depression with pregnancy can cause unwanted distress with women and bring on feelings of extreme unhappiness and doubt. This can lead to poor nutrition, substance abuse and risk of suicide for the mother, as well as preterm delivery, birth complications and miscarriage.
Untreated depression following birth can lead to marital disruption, low self-esteem, maternal withdrawal, disengagement and hostility affecting the mother-baby relationship. Therefore, it is important to treat depression because of its strong association with long-term impaired cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioural development of the child.
Acupuncture can play an important role in the treatment of depression during pregnancy.
Hormonal factors unique to women may contribute to depression as we know that hormones directly affect the brain chemistry that controls emotions and mood. We also know that women are at greater risk of depression at certain times in their lives; such as puberty, during and after pregnancy, during perimenopause and some women also have depressive symptoms right before their period.
Pregnant women suffering from depression often face a difficult decision – they can risk potential harm to their babies by taking a course of antidepressants, or face other possible dangers to themselves and their babies if the disease is left untreated for months. However, there is an alternative.
In a 2010 study by Stanford University it was shown that acupuncture has “clinically meaningful” results in the treatment of pregnancy depression. In the group of women who received depression specific acupuncture, 63% of women had a greater than 50% improvement in their depressive symptoms. Treatments lasted approximately 30 minutes and were provided twice a week for the first four weeks and then once a week afterwards for another four weeks. Acupuncture was used that was specific for depression and tailored individually according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine to address each participants depression related patterns of disharmony.
Acupuncture is a far safer and proven way to reduce depression symptoms among pregnant women, and look after the wellbeing of both Mother and child.
If you are looking for support during your pregnancy with depression and other pregnancy related symptoms, make a time to come and see Quay Health’s Acupuncturist Darren Geer. Darren has nearly 20 years experience helping women achieve a happy and health pregnancy. You can schedule an appointment here