Dr. Mercola June 07 2003 1,601 views
Although most women anticipate feeling good during pregnancy, close to one in five women show signs of depression during this time, according to a study.
Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, and symptoms usually show up during the childbearing years, according to researchers. However, many women who experience depressive symptoms are reluctant to discuss them with their physicians.
Those with severe symptoms may benefit from antidepressants. Past studies have shown that women who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft, do not seem to be at an increased risk of having a baby with birth defects.
The current study involved 3,472 women who were an average of 25 weeks pregnant. Slightly more than 20 percent of the women showed signs of depression.
Of these women, 86 percent had not received any treatment. Further, only one-quarter of those who reported being depressed during the past six months were being treated for depression.
Previous preliminary studies suggest that untreated depressive symptoms may affect the fetus and result in low birth weight, early delivery and impaired brain development.
According to the study, 28 percent of the women had been clinically depressed at least once in their lifetime, and more than 40 percent of these women reported that the depressive symptoms returned during pregnancy.
Past studies have also found that women who have suffered from depression in the past are up to 50 percent more likely to experience post partum depression.
As reported in other findings, other factors associated with depression during pregnancy included poorer health overall, risky drinking behavior and smoking during pregnancy.
Journal of Women's Health May, 2003;12(4):373-380
Depression is a serious condition that needs to be addressed. Among pregnant women, the condition affects not only the woman but also the developing fetus.
Second generation antidepressants have traditionally been believed to be safe during pregnancy. However, at least one study has shown that antidepressant drug Paxil may cause withdrawal symptoms in babies once they are born.
While I am certain many women benefit in some ways from the use of antidepressants, these drugs are in no way, shape or form ever responsible for improving the underlying cause of depression.
Clearly drugs are rarely the best choice for pregnant women who are depressed. It sure seems to make a lot more sense to recommend the use of simple therapies, which are far more effective and virtually non-toxic.
Now, what would those be?
First and foremost, especially with pregnant women, the use of omega-3 oils is an absolute must. It is also clear that omega-3 fat supplementation and restriction of omega-6 fats will profoundly improve the brain function.
Dr. Stoll, director of the psychopharmacology research lab at Boston's McLean Hospital and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, discusses this extensively in his book The Omega-3 Connection. He also reviews the new evidence supporting the use of omega-3 oils for depression.
However, as the FDA and EPA both strongly state, pregnant women should avoid fish as most are contaminated with mercury that can cause neurodevelopmental delays in about 10 percent of children.
Fortunately, you do have viable options for obtaining the nutritious benefits of fish without worrying about mercury contamination. Early last year we did extensive testing on fish from a company that takes the salmon from the interior of Alaska and were surprised and delighted to find that the mercury levels were virtually undetectable.
If you enjoy the delicious taste and immense health benefits of some of the world's finest salmon--Alaskan wild red--but you are concerned about the mercury and other toxins now found in dangerous amounts in almost all fish, then please consider trying the Alaskan wild red salmon from Vital Choice that tested safe and is now available in our Web site store.
Additionally, regularly consuming high-quality fish oil will also provide you with the outstanding health benefits of omega-3.
When choosing your fish oil or cod liver oil, it is important to remember that not all brands are the same. In my research--and in my clinical experience with my patients--I have found that 1) the liquid form is superior to capsules; 2) that certain brands definitely seem inferior to others; 3) that the Carlson's brand of fish oil/cod liver oil is of an exceptional quality and purity. It is likely not the only brand in the world of such high quality, but up to this point it is the only one of such quality that I can recommend, so I now have the Carlson's fish oil and cod liver oil available on Mercola.com; you can also check your local health food store to see if they carry it.
So what is the difference between fish oil and cod liver oil? In short, fish oil should be consumed in warm weather months and warm climates, while cod liver oil should be consumed in cool weather months and cool climates. Cod liver oil is high in vitamin D (and vitamin A); those in cool weather climates do not generally get enough vitamin D. However, in warm weather, their vitamin D is usually sufficient, as sunshine is one of the primary methods of obtaining this vitamin; if you consume too much vitamin D in these warm weather months, you do risk overdosing.
A reasonable dose for both fish oil and cod liver oil is one teaspoon for every 50 pounds of body weight daily.
Related Articles:
Newborns’ Growth Slowed by Postpartum Depression Antidepressant in Pregnancy Not a Great Idea Light Therapy Useful for Depression During Pregnancy Pregnant Women May Not Be Getting Enough Omega-3 Mom's Depression Affects Her Infants' Learning Depressed? Consider Fish Oil
Newborns’ Growth Slowed by Postpartum Depression
Antidepressant in Pregnancy Not a Great Idea
Light Therapy Useful for Depression During Pregnancy
Pregnant Women May Not Be Getting Enough Omega-3
Mom's Depression Affects Her Infants' Learning
Depressed? Consider Fish Oil