Newborns who were exposed to SSRIs for five months or more prior to birth were at a greater risk for lower Apgar scores 1 and 5 minutes after delivery, indicating they were of lesser health than newborns who were not exposed to SSRIs before birth. However, prenatal SSRI exposure was not found to have a significant impact the long-term mental and physical health of the children. These results are not independent of any effects of prenatal depression on infants. Connection to postpartum depression and parenting stress
Studies have found a strong link between antenatal depression and postpartum depression in women. In other words, women who have antenatal depression are very likely to also develop postpartum depression. The cause of this is based on the continuation of the antenatal depression into postpartum. In a logistical light, it makes sense that women who are depressed during their pregnancy will also be depressed following the birth of their child. This being said there are some factors that determine exclusively the presence of postpartum depression that are not necessarily linked with antenatal depression. These examples include variables like socioeconomic class, if a pregnancy was planned or not, and the parents relationship prior to conception and delivery of the child.In reference to a recent study by Coburn et al., the authors found that in addition to prenatal effects, higher maternal depressive symptoms during the postpartum period (12 weeks) were associated with more infant health concerns. This is consistent with other findings among low-SES Mexican-American women and their infants.
Mothers with a history of mental health issues should also talk to their doctor about it early in the pregnancy to help with possible depressive symptoms. Signs and symptoms
Antenatal depression is classified based on a womans symptoms. During pregnancy, a lot of changes to mood, memory, eating habits, and sleep are common. When these common traits become severe, and begin to alter ones day-to-day life, that is when it is considered to be antenatal depression. Symptoms of antenatal depression are:

Inability to concentrate. Overwhelming anxiety and fear. Difficulty remembering. Feeling emotionally numb. Extreme irritability. Sleeping too much or not enough, or restless sleep. Extreme or unending fatigue. Desire to over eat, or not eat at all. Weight loss/gain unrelated to pregnancy. Loss of interest in sex. A sense of dread about everything, including the pregnancy. Feelings of failure, or guilt. Persistent sadness. Thoughts of suicide, or death.Other symptoms can include the inability to get excited about the pregnancy, and/or baby, a feeling of disconnection with the baby, and an inability to form/feel a bond with the developing baby. This can drastically affect the relationship between the mother and the baby, and can drastically affect the mothers capacity for self-care. Such inadequacies can lead to even greater risk factors for the mother. Antenatal depression can be triggered by various causes, including relationship problems, family or personal history of depression, infertility, previous pregnancy loss, complications in pregnancy, and a history of abuse or trauma. Onset and duration of symptoms
Antenatal depression can be caused by many factors.