text: Maintaining Your Mental Health During Pregnancy
  Mental Health During Pregnancy: What You Need To Know
  Pregnancy can bring on a myriad of emotions. It’s normal to feel scared, overwhelmed, and nervous at the thought of a new baby. Some women who are pregnant deal with additional mental health issues during pregnancy that can make it hard to make it through daily life and work.
  How does Pregnancy Affect Mental Health?
  Let’s be clear: “normal” mental health differs from person to person. Some people who are pregnant may find that their mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression, change as they experience pregnancy.
  If you’re feeling worried or down for a day or two, this can be a normal part of pregnancy and associated with the stress and hormonal changes that come with growing a new life.
  If you find that your stress, anxiety, depression, or worry make it hard to get through your normal daily life tasks, it may be time to talk with your OB/GYN, or see a local psychiatrist, about treating your mental health symptoms so you can stay healthy for yourself and your new baby.
  Safely Treating Depression During Pregnancy
  If you have taken medication for mental health issues in the past, it’s important that you work closely with your OB/GYN and/or a qualified psychiatrist to determine what type of medication you should take to handle anxiety and depression during pregnancy if warranted. Your doctor can offer you additional advice on how to manage depression during pregnancy, including participating in therapy and possible dietary and exercise changes.
  You may be able to continue with your existing mental health regime (including medication), or your doctor might recommend changes to your medication and/or lifestyle to help you better manage your mental health during and after your pregnancy.
  Pre Natal-Depression And Postpartum Depression
  It can be scary to have negative or apathetic thoughts about your growing baby. For some women, these thoughts also come after the baby is born. Pre-natal depression treatment can often be managed through medication and therapy. The same is true of postpartum depression treatment.
  If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or you’re finding that you’re struggling to shake the negative feelings that come with the hormonal changes caused by pregnancy and birth, it’s important to reach out to your doctor immediately. Pre-natal depression and postpartum depression are treatable and have nothing to do with your ability to parent your child.
  Arkansas Psychiatric Clinic Is Here To Help
  Dr. Leigh Anne Bennett and the team at Arkansas Psychiatric Clinic have helped pregnant women with mental health concerns for years. If you’re struggling with your mental health during or after your pregnancy, reach out today to learn more about how we can help you get your mental health back on track.