Mothers are vulnerable especially after child birth. In fact, about two thirds of women encounter postnatal depression in their first week after delivery. Postnatal Depression (PND) is therefore not a case unheard of here in Singapore.

Doctors believe that the common cause of PND is hormonal changes. Other causes include biological, emotional and psychological changes. Factors that contribute to the progression of PND include weight gain sorrow or changes in body shape, sleep deprivation, family problems, financial difficulties and lack of support.

Now that you know the causes, it is time to proceed to the symptoms. The symptoms of PND include irritability, loss of confidence, body aches, tiredness, anxiety, panic attacks and other negative emotions. It can be mild or severe.

The prevention is simple yet effective – manage stress levels during your pregnancy and after delivery. If you are at risk of developing PND, it helps if you acknowledge it and seek for the support of the people around you. Early intervention is crucial. Do not wait for your relationship and your body to deteriorate.

You can also consider treatment options should your case progress. The good thing is that there are many doctors here in Singapore that can offer psychological treatments. These psychological treatments can include cognitive-behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy. If the case is severe, a medication may be included depending on the doctor.

If you want to seek support apart from your circle of family and friends, you can head to The Perinatal Depression Support Group situated in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Sessions will be conducted with managers every first Tuesday of the month.

GUSTO (Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes) studies the moods of pregnant women relating to their child’s growth and development. GUSTO found out based on their preliminary findings that the moods of pregnant women can affect their children. At the end of the day, researchers hope that their findings can provide guidelines that can support the emotional needs of mothers.

If you are pregnant, you will surely deal with a lot of pain, discomfort and roller coaster of emotions but when the baby is there, you will surely realize that everything is worth it. If in this case you want to know more about the multiple personalities of pregnant women, you can refer to this:

• Anxious: Pregnant women who have chronic disease or if it is their first time, they are anxious. They are nervous, worried and afraid.
• Forgetful: Pregnant women sometimes forget things like where they put the keys or where they parked the car. Sometimes it is called absent minded.
• Clumsy: Pregnant women are sometimes clumsy. Since there are many new things and changes in their body, they bump into things.
• Sentimental: Pregnant women are sometimes sentimental. Every event is worth a good cry. The tear ducts always ooze with tears without apparent reason.
• Blissful: If you tried so hard to be pregnant, you will surely feel blissful and blessed. The fact of a life growing inside you makes you perfectly happy.
• Level headed: There are many women who choose to deal with pregnancy coolly or with a sound mind. They do not let anything spoil their peace of mind.

Pregnant women experience things differently. Sometimes, you can feel one or two personalities. It is important that whatever you are going through, you should be happy. Going back to the findings of GUSTO, your child’s development is affected depending on your mood or personality.