While pregnancy is suppose to be a time of blissful joy, for some women, pregnancy is a time of serious emotional disequilibrium.

These symptoms, in fact, can make this experience anything but joyful. This is the dark side of pregnancy the side which does not get talked about - and which is sometimes even missed by childbirth practitioners who may confuse symptoms of depression or anxiety with normal symptoms of pregnancy. Left untreated, however, these symptoms are likely to worsen and may lead to serious complications including; low birth weight, premature birth, increased interventions, and post partum depression. The fact is that somewhere between 7 and 26% of women experience serious clinical emotional issues during pregnancy. It is important to get help early on. Education and support are essential. If you believe you are suffering from depression or anxiety, meet with a trained mental health specialist for an evaluation. You can get help and you are not alone.

“I was a bit surprised to be feeling so blue during my pregnancy. The baby had more or less been planned... and I had imagined that having a baby would be a breeze. According to television and parenting magazines, I was supposed to be blissfully happy, not moody and depressed. And I longed to ‘glow.’ Wasn’t it my right as a mother-to-be? Didn’t the world expect it from me?“
Lizbeth Finn-Arnold

For an evaluation or information about the
Pregnancy Support Group call Gina Hassan PhD (PSY13473) at 510.644.1097 or ghassanphd@aol.com

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