Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that is related to the changing seasons. Winter brings its own unique set of challenges for many people, and for pregnant women, it can be especially difficult.
The disorder begins and ends at roughly the same time each year. If you’re like most people with SAD, symptoms start in the fall and last through the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve in the spring and summer months.
Depression during pregnancy
Depression during pregnancy, also known as antenatal or perinatal depression, is a common mental health condition that affects many women. It can range from mild to severe and significantly impacts the mother and the developing baby. Symptoms include persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, changes in appetite and sleep, difficulty concentrating, irritability, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and thoughts of self-harm.
The causes of depression are multifaceted and can include hormonal changes, stressful life events, lack of support, personal history of depression, and family history. The condition can have negative consequences for the baby, including low birth weight, premature birth, developmental delays, and behavioral problems. Thankfully, depression during pregnancy is treatable. Effective treatments include psychotherapy, medication when deemed safe, and support groups. Seeking help early is crucial for the well-being of both the mother and the baby.
Signs of seasonal affective disorder
The following symptoms are common for those suffering from seasonal affective disorder:
- Anxiety
- Tendency to avoid social contact
- Despair
- Lethargy
- Loss of sexual desire or desire for physical contact
- Loss of self-esteem
- Bingeing
- Irritability
- Apathy
Specific trimesters and seasonal affective disorder symptoms
The timing of SAD symptoms during pregnancy can be influenced by a variety of factors, including individual differences, geographic location, and the time of conception.
Conception in the winter months
If pregnancy occurs in the winter and a woman is already prone to SAD, symptoms may coincide with early pregnancy symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between the two.
Second-trimester relief
Women with seasonal affective disorder may experience some relief during the second trimester due to the increase in mood-boosting hormones.
Third-trimester resurgence
As the third trimester progresses and estrogen levels decline, SAD symptoms may return or worsen. This can pose additional challenges for expectant mothers as they prepare for labor and the postpartum period.
It is important to note that each pregnancy is unique, and while hormonal changes play a role, they are only one component of the complex interaction between pregnancy and SAD.
Individual differences, geographic location, genetics, and lifestyle factors all play a role in the development and course of SAD.
The Connection between SAD and Pregnancy
Hormonal changes
Pregnancy is a period of intense hormonal fluctuations, with levels of various hormones falling and rising to support the growth and development of the baby. These hormonal changes can have a significant impact on a pregnant woman’s emotional well-being and may interact with seasonal affective disorder in various ways.
First trimester
HCG Hormone: The first trimester is marked by an increase in HCG. It is a hormone responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. This hormonal change may contribute to fatigue and mood swings. While not directly linked to SAD, these early changes can increase susceptibility to the disorder, especially if pregnancy occurs during the fall or winter months when SAD typically manifests.
Second trimester
Estrogen and Progesterone: The second trimester sees a significant increase in estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can positively affect mood, often resulting in an emotional “high” during this trimester. Pregnant women may experience a temporary reduction in SAD symptoms, which can be a welcome relief.
Third trimester
Decreased estrogen: Towards the end of the third trimester, estrogen levels may drop, leading to increased stress and mood swings. This decline may coincide with a return or worsening of SAD symptoms, especially if a woman is predisposed to the disorder.
While hormonal changes during pregnancy can have a significant impact on mood, the interaction with SAD is complex and can vary from person to person. Some women with a history of SAD may experience a worsening of their symptoms during pregnancy due to additional hormonal changes. In contrast, others may experience temporary relief during the second trimester.
Causes of SAD
The cause of SAD is not fully understood, but it is believed to be linked to several factors:
- Reduced sunlight exposure: Shorter days and less sunlight during the fall and winter months can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm and affect mood.
- Changes in brain chemistry: Reduced sunlight exposure may lead to lower serotonin levels (a neurotransmitter that regulates mood).
- Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones like melatonin and cortisol can contribute to SAD symptoms. Pregnancy involves significant hormonal changes, which can exacerbate SAD symptoms in individuals who are already prone to the condition.
- Increased fatigue: Pregnancy can lead to fatigue, worsening SAD-related tiredness, and low energy levels.
- Changes in sleep patterns: One of the common sleep disturbances during pregnancy is a change in sleep patterns. This disruption during pregnancy can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm and make SAD symptoms worse.
It’s important to note that not all pregnant women with a history of SAD will experience worsened symptoms. Some may even find that their symptoms improve during pregnancy.
Ways to beat the winter blues naturally
If you’re a mom-to-be experiencing mild seasonal depression, there are things you can do to help lift your mood. However, for more serious cases of depression or seasonal affective disorder, it’s best to seek medical support. Your obstetrician will be able to determine if an antidepressant medication would be helpful for you.
Get outside and move
Exercising during pregnancy increases your chances of easier labor and delivery, and at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day can also improve your mood.
Do something you enjoy
Getting a massage, planning a fun arts and crafts project, or taking a yoga class can boost endorphins, relieve pain, and help you feel better.
Eat healthy foods
While lying on the couch with your favorite comfort foods may seem tempting, it won’t help you feel better in the long run. Instead, choose healthy foods that will give you energy and boost your metabolism.
Go out with friends and family
A little laughter therapy can have a big impact on your mood. Plan a lunch date, connect, socialize, and feel better.
Try light therapy
Sunlight is believed to stimulate the part of the brain that controls mood, sleep, and appetite. Light therapy can trick the brain into thinking you’re in the sun.
Postpartum considerations
Addressing the potential impact of seasonal affective disorder on postpartum depression is essential for expectant mothers. The hormonal and lifestyle changes that come with pregnancy can interact with SAD and potentially increase the risk of postpartum depression. To prepare for the transition from pregnancy to motherhood, women need to be proactive about their mental health.
This includes considering treatment options, seeking support from healthcare providers, and building a strong family and friends support network. Recognizing that SAD may persist or worsen postpartum allows women to take proactive steps to ensure a smoother transition into the postpartum period and a healthier, more balanced start to motherhood.
The bottom line
If you have a relative or friend who suffers from seasonal depression, you can help them a lot during pregnancy. Spend time with them, even if they are a dork, and resist going out. Take them out, invite them for tea or a walk in the park, share happy and funny memories, and try to get them talking and moving.
Regular exercise, social engagement, relaxation, or other activities that get you out of the house will compete with this tendency to feel lethargic. Boost your endorphins a bit, and get 30 minutes of light exercise daily to help stabilize your mood and lift your spirits. This is very important for your health and that of your baby. These small things will prevent many of the complications of mood and seasonal disorders in you and your future baby, and on the other hand, will make your pregnancy easier and happier and bring you a good memory. Take advantage of these moments and plan a pregnancy trip, take beautiful photos, and enjoy your pregnancy. A few autumn and winter photos with the little one in your belly are an interesting and fun idea.
Additional questions
- Can babies feel sadness in the womb?
If the mother is very sad or suffers from depression, the baby will also experience these feelings. The mother’s emotional state affects the child’s development for a significant part of his life. Depression is a serious but treatable illness that can seriously affect the fetus.
- How do you support yourself emotionally during pregnancy?
Eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, and take prenatal vitamins. If you feel worried, sad, or nervous, talk to someone about it and know when to seek help.
- How do you be happy during pregnancy?
- Fuel your body and baby
- Stay hydrated
- Get moving
- Rest and relax
- Keep up with prenatal care
- What are the recommendations for screening for depression during pregnancy?
Many healthcare organizations recommend routine screening for depression during pregnancy. This usually involves using standardized screening tools, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale or the Patient Health Questionnaire, to assess depression symptoms. Screening is often carried out at least once during pregnancy, ideally during the first antenatal visit and again in the late second or early third trimester. If the screening results indicate potential depression, further assessment and treatment should be offered.
- What week of pregnancy are hormones at their worst?
It varies from woman to woman, but symptoms tend to be worse around 9 or 10 weeks when hCG levels are at their highest. By week 11, hCG levels begin to decline; by week 15, they have dropped to about 50 percent of their peak.
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