Professional Help and Treatment
If the information on this website seems familiar to you, you may choose to make an appointment to see your midwife or GP as soon as possible.  If you are concerned about a friend or family member, it is always advisable to discuss your concerns with them before attempting to seek help on their behalf.  (See also ‘How Family and Friends can help’.)

If your midwife or GP fail to acknowledge the symptoms as you describe them, don't give up.  Try to seek alternative support from a qualified professional such as your hospital consultant and by all means refer them to this website.  Latest research by Veronica O’Keane and Michael S Marsh showed key findings.  In summary:

• Depression during pregnancy is common, with rates of Depression likely to be higher during pregnancy than at any other stages in a woman’s life
• The treatment for depression in pregnancy must be considered individually for each woman and include psychotherapeutic treatment (such as counselling)
• Clinicians should ask about depressive symptoms as a routine part of ante-natal care

To see the full copy of Veronica O’Keane’s and Michael Marsh’s research click here and her response to comments in the BMJ here.  Personal note from Delphi: “It's always important to remember with research that it simply provides the opportunity to highlight and explore potential problems and offer recommendations for ways forward. Nothing is ever cast in stone and everybody is different, just like their experiences.  If you have any concerns or questions over these findings, you can contact Veronica O’Keane personally by clicking here.”

 

For some time, ante-natal depression has not been widely recognised, however recent research by Professor Nicky Stanley and her colleagues has called for more awareness to be raised on this subject amongst healthcare professionals.  You can read Professor Stanley's research here and a related news article here (July 2005) calling for midwives to tackle depression during pregnancy.

Your community midwife may also know of other "sufferers" and may be willing to set aside some time to set up an Ante Natal Depression support group.  In cases where this is not possible (e.g. because of limited funds/resources), or if you would prefer not to join a group, your midwife/GP may suggest some counselling for you leading up to the birth.  In some cases, your GP may prescribe a course of anti-depressants, suitable to be taken during pregnancy.

Remember, for many women the depression may clear up as soon as the baby is born.  There is little evidence to suggest a link between ante-natal depression and post -natal depression at this time.

 

If you have been diagnosed with ante-natal depression:

 

Keep talking and create a support network.  Even if a support group can't be set up with the help of a midwife, encourage friends and family to learn about the illness rather than ignore it.  Keep your midwife and GP up to date on how you’re feeling and ask how they can support you further. 

 

If you are feeling suicidal you can ring the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 for the cost of a local call, or ring your GP/Midwife or healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Read my personal experience of ante-natal depression in my story (.pdf file).        

For a copy of the Depression in Pregnancy leaflet please contact me

Read Professor Nicky Stanley's research and recommendations for healthcare professionals on Ante-Natal Depression

Home Page