Depression During Pregnancy

~Natural Remedies for Depression~

When you think about it, some brief periods of depression or anxiety during pregnancy shouldn't be surprising. Take the intense hormonal fluctuations of pregnancy combined with the impending life change of becoming a mother, and some emotional ups and downs are legitimate and expected.

But chronic, clinical depression has become epidemic in our culture. Pregnancy depression along with post partum depression are just two of many classifications that describe those who suffer from this condition. Without getting too far off track, it's helpful to take a look at the broader causes of depression because they apply to depression during pregnancy as well.

In the simplest terms, depression is caused by a malnourishment of body, mind and spirit. In this malnourished state, we experience fear, negative emotion and dis-ease. Our energy becomes unbalanced.

Women become especially sensitive to energy and emotion in pregnancy, I believe for good reason. Pregnancy hormones (and women's hormones, in general) often get the blame for moodiness and depression. But I don't believe hormones create negative thoughts and emotion- Instead, they act with purpose to bring forth the emotional energy that lies within us.

With each hormonal surge, we are given ample opportunity to feel those feelings and then release them, making space for a higher state of consciousness and connection to our natural state of peace and wellbeing.

What better way to bring your child into the world: your old emotional garbage taken out, feeling clear and positive and ready for motherhood?

The problem is we're taught to fear, avoid and tell sad stories about negative emotion. But emotion is simply "energy in motion," designed to give us guidance and then move on through. When we chronically stuff it back down and hold on to it, it becomes part of us.

So the first thing you can do is accept your unique emotional journey through pregnancy. Allow yourself to feel your feelings in the moment with simple awareness and without judgment or analysis. This creates a mental clarity through which you can move through difficult emotions and then make a positive shift.

Then you can experiment with the following ways to further nourish your mind, body and spirit~

Natural Remedies for Depression During Pregnancy:

• Minimize pregnancy stress.
• Get plenty of rest: When you are feeling down, take a nap. Even a 15 minute catnap can refresh you and give you a new perspective.
• Close your eyes and take ten deep cleansing breaths: You oxygenate your brain and find a more clear, relaxed state.
• Practice a relaxation technique: The body-mind connection is undeniable. As you relax your body the mind calms and clears.
• Sit in meditation: Nothing fancy- Just sit still in a chair or on a pillow on the floor, close your eyes and notice your breath for 5, 10 or 15 minutes.
• Begin a yoga practice: Again, nothing fancy- Join a class or buy a video. Balance poses are especially effective for depression.
• Engage in regular exercise: Keep it simple and just take a walk. Increased oxygenation and endorphin production in the body help to boost and regulate mood.

Nutrition and Herbs:

• Eat a real food-based, balanced pregnancy diet: Your brain needs a wide variety of nutrients to feel good and operate well.
• Consume plenty of good fat and cholesterol: These are critical for brain function and hormone production. High quality traditional fats such as butter, coconut oil and olive oil are best.
• Keep blood sugar steady: Low blood sugar can cause irritability so be sure to eat frequently, focusing on high fat, moderate protein snacks. Rely on small amounts of whole grains, vegetables, fruit and natural sweeteners for a carbohydrate source.
• Drink a pregnancy tea blend containing calming, mineral-rich red raspberry leaf tea. Add mint for an energy boost.

Please approach these ideas with an attitude of softness and ease, not with a "fix-it" mentality, which can be counterproductive. Go slowly and approach each idea as a gift to yourself and your baby. Do only what feels good and enjoyable.

Of course, consult a professional if you feel anxiety or depression during pregnancy that is prolonged and/or extreme.

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