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Feeling Blue During Pregnancy

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  • Feeling Blue During Pregnancy
August 24, 2022 Women

Everyone was so excited about Maria’s pregnancy… except Maria; all she felt was hopeless. She put on a smile and tried to get used to the idea of having a baby, but it was hard. In fact, Maria found she didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning. She didn’t feel like eating and nothing seemed fun anymore. She knew she “should” feel happy about having a baby but instead she felt sad and dreaded her future.

Pregnancy is not always a happy time; depression during pregnancy is more common than most people think. How can you tell if you are depressed? Symptoms of depression may be different for everyone, but often include:

Pregnant woman sitting on couch, looking thoughtful
  • Feeling restless or moody
  • Feeling sad, hopeless or overwhelmed
  • Feeling anxious or empty feelings
  • Crying a lot
  • Having no energy or motivation
  • Not being interested in activities you once liked to do
  • Having a much larger or smaller appetite than usual
  • Having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Having trouble focusing or making decisions
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Having headaches, aches or pains that don’t go away
  • Having thoughts of suicide
Pregnant woman sitting on sofa, looking thoughtful

What Causes Depression?

Depression tends to run in families, but people without any family history of depression can also have it. Most likely, depression happens due to a combination of things. For example, stress often triggers depression, as does a trauma, loss of a loved one or a difficult relationship. People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are especially prone to having depression. PTSD can occur after a person goes through a terrible event such as a violent attack, a natural disaster, accident, or military combat. Also, just the stress of an unplanned pregnancy could trigger depression.
As many as 1 in 10 pregnant women feel depressed.

Can Feeling Sad Hurt Your Pregnancy?

Unfortunately, yes. Depression during pregnancy can:

  • Decrease your appetite
  • Cause you to make unhealthy food choices
  • Cause you to not gain enough weight
  • Increase birth problems
  • Cause you to miss scheduled doctor or WIC appointments
  • Increase your chance of having postpartum depression
Person lying in bed, appearing thoughtful and concerned

Depression can also seriously affect your baby. Babies who have mothers with depression:

  • Are at greater risk of being born at a low birth weight
  • May have trouble sleeping
  • Are at greater risk of having attention or behavior problems
  • May have problems dealing with stress as a child

What Can You Do?

  • Talk to your health care provider about how you are feeling. They can refer you to a counselor. Or ask your WIC counselor for a referral.
  • Find someone you can talk to about your feelings— a trusted friend, family member or priest, rabbi, etc.
  • Try not to stay alone — get out of the house and be around people.
  • Get some exercise. Take a walk, march in place or do some yoga.
  • Get some sunshine! Being outside, especially in bright light, can lighten your mood.
  • When you have a big job to do, break it up into smaller tasks so it’s not so overwhelming.
  • Try to think positively and avoid watching sad movies or spending time with people that make you unhappy.
  • If you think about harming yourself, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24-hour hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255).
  • Check out www.postpartum.net for more information about mental health during and after pregnancy.
  • If you are feeling blue during your pregnancy, don’t suffer in silence. Getting help is the best thing you can do for you and your baby.

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    Cartoon vegetables with leafy tops gather playfully together.

    Side-Lying Hold

    1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
    2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
    3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
    4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
    5. Reverse for the left breast.

    This hold is useful when:

    • You had a C-section
    • You want to rest while baby feeds
    • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
    • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
    Yellow circle with abstract, jagged shapes and patterns.

    Cross-Cradle Hold

    1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
    2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
    3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
    4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
    5. Reverse for the left breast.

    This hold is useful when:

    • Your baby is premature
    • Your baby has a weak suck
    • Your baby needs help to stay latched
    • Your baby needs extra head support
    • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
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    Clutch or “Football” Hold

    1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
    2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
    3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
    4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
    5. Reverse for the left breast.

    This hold is useful when:

    • You had a C-section
    • You have large breasts
    • You have flat or inverted nipples
    • You have a strong milk let-down
    • You are breastfeeding twins
    • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
    • Your baby has reflux
    • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
    Peach circle with abstract shapes radiating outward.

    Cradle Hold

    1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
    2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
    3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
    4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
    5. Reverse for the left breast.

    This hold is useful when:

    • Your baby needs help latching on
    • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
    Smiling peach character waving cheerful hello.

    Laid-Back Hold

    1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
    2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
    3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

    This hold is useful when:

    • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
    • You have a strong milk let-down
    • You have large breasts
    • You and your baby are comfortable in this position