How to cope with neurosis during pregnancy and after childbirth?

During pregnancy, a woman’s psyche, already quite labile, often cannot withstand hormonal changes. A woman’s well-being, mood, and behavior change.

It is important to draw the line between a healthy reaction and neurosis. Unlike short-term, unstable reactions of a healthy person, neuroses significantly affect a woman’s life - they limit her ability to work, interfere with her daily activities, and create problems in communicating with her family.

Pregnancy is a strong emotional and physical stress, it may well cause neurosis.

Neuroses during pregnancy can be divided into two subtypes: neuroses during pregnancy and neuroses that arise after childbirth.

Depression during different periods of pregnancy

The psychological state of the expectant mother changes for various reasons.
Not only the successful bearing of a child, but also the course of childbirth and the postpartum period depends on her well-being. The problem can arise both in the first trimester and closer to the resolution of the condition. Depressive disorders in pregnant women (prenatal) occur in 10-25% of cases. The number of cases increases in later stages (33-37%).

Negative symptoms often have varying intensity throughout the entire gestation period. However, objective research is insufficient to identify clear criteria for distinction.

Early dates

After discovering an “interesting situation,” the girl will have to adapt to the changed living conditions. Not every person easily accepts the news of possible motherhood, which is accompanied by heavy psycho-emotional stress. The situation worsens significantly with the development of early toxicosis (not in everyone).

The circumstances that arise are not always planned, so a violation of the usual routine causes internal discomfort and panic. Questions are raised about the future, work/study, the financial side of the issue, interpersonal and family relationships. Affective disorders (mood pathologies) can be a reaction to social and psychophysical changes.

Late dates

Normal intrauterine development of the fetus is carried out thanks to many neurohumoral processes occurring in the woman’s body. This complex mechanism is controlled largely by hormones, which also influence other systems.

In the second half of pregnancy, the girl’s appearance changes, and her general health may deteriorate. The likelihood of psycho-emotional disorders increases with the development of gestosis or other complications. In severe cases, patients are hospitalized for observation until delivery.

Before and after childbirth

Depressive symptoms may intensify or appear for the first time immediately before the birth of a child with a further transition into the postpartum period. The process of bringing a baby into the world can hardly be called easy. The experience is a strong stress factor not only for the body, but also for the human psyche.

Not everyone can immediately adapt to the role of a mother after this, especially in the absence of adequate help from loved ones. Pounding worries, the need to be at the baby’s bedside around the clock, responsibility for a new life - only aggravate the situation. There is a danger to the life of mother and child.

Is a cold dangerous during pregnancy if you don’t see a doctor?

It is very important for all expectant mothers to avoid the most common mistakes and when treating, be sure to take into account the myths about ARVI, which are passed down from generation to generation and cause harm.

Myth 1. Vitamin C will cure colds.

It is not true. For a long time, ascorbic acid was considered almost a panacea for influenza and other colds. But now scientists have come to the conclusion that this vitamin does not prevent the development of ARVI and does not speed up treatment if the disease is already in full swing.

In some cases, ascorbic acid can reduce the manifestations of clinical signs of the disease. Also, in combination with proper nutrition, it increases endurance in healthy people. However, if a person still has a cold, vitamin C is powerless.

Myth 2. Antibiotics will help get rid of colds.

Antibacterial drugs are the greatest achievement of mankind, having saved millions of lives since their discovery. It would seem that if these medicines can help with very serious diseases, will they really not cope with a cold? No, they won't cope. For the reason that antibacterial drugs, as their name suggests, are designed to fight bacteria. Viruses differ in structure from bacteria, and therefore there is no point in taking antibiotics for ARVI and influenza. Antibacterial drugs are taken only in case of bacterial complications, for example, bacterial pneumonia.

You should not take antibiotics for prophylaxis, trying to prevent the development of complications. This will only weaken your body and harm your unborn child. And, of course, no medications should be taken during pregnancy without your doctor’s permission.

Myth 3. You can only catch a cold once per season.

This is not true. As already mentioned, viruses are constantly mutating. Therefore, you can get sick at the beginning of autumn, recover, then the body will develop immunity to this type of virus, and then get sick more than once in winter and spring. New strains constantly appear that the body is not yet familiar with. In order to protect yourself from infection, it is necessary to use antiviral drugs that fight all types of viruses.

Myth 4. Antibacterial soap will protect against colds.

It is not true. This soap, as its name suggests, can only fight bacteria. As already mentioned, viruses and bacteria have different structures, and therefore the methods of combating them are different. Of course, this does not replace the need to regularly wash your hands, both for pregnant women and for everyone else. Even if soap doesn't kill viruses, it can help wash them away. The effectiveness of this procedure increases significantly if you wash your hands with any soap for at least 30 seconds.

Myth 5. If you have a cold, you need bed rest.

Despite the fact that a cold can lead to the development of a number of complications, a pregnant woman should not give up walking and moderate physical activity without a doctor’s advice. Prolonged bed rest can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia, as well as disruption of the functioning of the cardiovascular system. If you feel well, move. And try to ventilate the room more often.

Causes

Pregnancy in rare cases can be a provocateur of mental disorders or aggravate pre-existing diseases. In the development of the disorder, the complex of unfavorable factors affecting a person (biochemical, social, psychological) is important, among which the following are most often identified:

• genetic disorders and hereditary predisposition;
• previous interrupted or lost pregnancies, including abortions and miscarriages;
• neuroendocrine changes in the body;
• marital conflicts;
• primary dysmenorrhea – pre-existing menstrual irregularities;
• adolescence;
• loneliness;
• fears of new experiences;
• criticism from loved ones or others
• social disadvantage;
• psychotraumatic experiences, including distant ones (childhood, stress during puberty);
• concomitant somatic diseases, especially severe or incurable;
• disability;
• low marital satisfaction;
• difficult working conditions or impending unemployment;
• exposure to pharmaceutical drugs that the pregnant woman took without knowing about her situation;
• history of drug or alcohol abuse;
• social pressure on a girl “in position”, concern with stereotypes;
• severe pregnancy, threat of miscarriage, severe toxicosis/gestosis;
• unfavorable microclimate in the family or work team.

Stressful events usually precede or precipitate symptoms of a depressive episode, but not necessarily. Symptoms may occur for no apparent reason. At high risk are girls who initially had a predisposition to the development of psychoneurological problems (premorbid personality traits).

A good mood is your doing: relaxation exercises for pregnant women

1. Often, when returning home, we transfer our work activity and excitement to the family. Having failed to get rid of the day's impressions, we take out our bad mood on our family. To reduce the risk of scandals of this kind, establish a tradition: when you return home, immediately relax. Sit in a chair, relax and sit quietly. Listen to your favorite music. Try to completely immerse yourself in the sound, disconnecting from all your thoughts. You can make yourself tea and drink it slowly, in small sips, while also thinking about something extraneous, for example, where this tea grew and who collected it. It would be nice to take a walk in the fresh air, especially since walking is especially beneficial for you now.
2. If you often feel mental and muscle tension, learn special relaxation that will help you find balance.

It is advisable to perform the exercises in a separate room, without prying eyes. To begin, take the starting position - lying on your back, without a pillow, legs slightly apart, feet turned toes outward, arms lying freely along the body with palms up. The whole body is relaxed, eyes are closed, breathing through the nose.

• Lie quietly for about 2 minutes. Imagine the room you are in. Mentally walk around the entire room along the walls, then in the opposite direction.
• Focus on your breathing. Feel how you breathe, feel that the air you inhale is colder than the air you exhale.
• Take a shallow breath and hold your breath for a moment. Tighten all your muscles at the same time for a few seconds. As you exhale, relax. Repeat the exercise 3 times.
• Lie quietly for a few minutes, completely relaxing and focusing on the feeling of the heaviness of your body. Register all environmental sounds in your consciousness, but do not perceive them. The same applies to thoughts. Don't try to overcome them - you just need to register them.

Perform tension-relaxation exercises for individual muscles of the body one at a time. Start with your legs, then move on to your gluteal muscles, chest muscles, arms, and face.

• In conclusion, mentally “run through” all the muscles of the body: is there even the slightest tension left somewhere? If yes, try to remove it, as relaxation should be complete.
• Lie down quietly again - relax, breathing evenly, without delays. You feel rested, calm, full of strength.
• Open your eyes, close them, open them again. Stretch as you would after sleep. Sit down very slowly, without jerking. Then stand up just as slowly, trying to maintain a pleasant feeling of internal relaxation for as long as possible.

1. If you suddenly find yourself in a stressful situation, you can find ways to help yourself and calm down. Here are some ways to relieve stress:

• Calming breathing. Slowly take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold your breath for a moment, then exhale as slowly as possible. Imagine that with each deep inhalation and long exhalation you are partially releasing stress.
• Look around and carefully examine the room you are in. Pay attention to the smallest details, even if you know them perfectly. Slowly, without rushing, “go through” all the items one by one in a certain sequence. Focus completely on this “inventory.” Say to yourself mentally: “Brown desk. White curtains. A bright vase for flowers,” etc. You will distract yourself from internal tension, directing your photography to a rational perception of the environment.
• Engage in some activity, preferably physical (feasible) labor. In a stressful situation, this will act as a lightning rod - you will direct your energy in a “peaceful direction” and at the same time be distracted.

Symptoms

Anxiety of varying severity occurs in almost 40% of women during normal pregnancy. In addition, we must not forget about the possible sharpening of individual character traits. Only a doctor can identify signs of an emerging disorder in a timely manner, which is why it is so important to regularly appear for examinations with your obstetrician-gynecologist, honestly reporting even minor (at first glance) experiences.

For formal diagnosis, the disease criteria specified in ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) are used. Possible violations are indicated by the appearance of the following symptoms:

• anxiety regarding the course of pregnancy, one’s own life;
• expressed fear of complicated childbirth, loss of a child;
• thoughts about one's own death;
• apathy;
• severe irritability;
• appetite ranges from acute hunger to complete absence and aversion to food;
• a woman stops enjoying activities that previously brought her joy;
• persistently increased fatigue not related to physical condition;
• mood is depressed most of the time, which does not depend on others or personal circumstances;
• emotional alienation from a partner, indifference to the growing fetus;
• suicidal behavior;
• obsessive ideas of harming the child;
• sleep problems;
• staying in solitude - a person does not want to see even the closest people;
• low self-esteem;
• obsessive feelings of guilt, shame, worthlessness.

Characters have emotional “outbursts” like a sharp jump in mood, but a temporary improvement in condition does not indicate the absence of a disorder. The pregnant woman delves into endless worries about the fate of the child and changes in her own life. Some patients, on the contrary, go into “denial”, reacting negatively to the development of the fetus.

Somatic symptoms of depression are difficult to distinguish from possible toxicosis, gestosis, or exacerbation of chronic pathology. Patients often lack criticism of their condition. People around you begin to notice changes in behavior, personality, and mood.

Why is depression dangerous in pregnant women?

Anxiety and depressive disorders can occur in mild forms with unexpressed symptoms. However, there is a possibility of developing the following consequences:

1. Miscarriage.
2. Insomnia.
3. Increased risk of bleeding, hypertension, maternal mortality.
4. Fetal growth retardation, rapid heartbeat, risk of mental (rarely somatic) diseases in the newborn.
5. Severe gestosis, the appearance of preeclampsia.
6. Suicidal thoughts and behavior.
7. Premature delivery, the need to resort to caesarean section.
8. Introducing the expectant mother to cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs.
9. Low adherence to obstetric and gynecological supervision, late seeking help.
10. Insufficient baby weight at birth, subsequent problems with appetite.
11. Self-harm, attempts to independently terminate pregnancy and even get rid of the fetus.

Clinical studies have established a connection between prenatal depression and the appearance of psychoneurological diseases in children in the future, for example, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Depression can threaten the lives of mother and baby. However, in most cases, babies develop absolutely normally.