We know that some future mothers have difficulty with their pregnancy, especially when health problems arise. And sometimes a “simple” illness can turn into depression. Fortunately, scientific studies have shown that the yoga, sport andacupuncture (among others) could have beneficial effects on the morale of the woman.
There is no question of waiting for depression to “pass by itself”, especially during pregnancy. Because a new study from the Center for Health Equity Studies in Stockholm (Sweden) has just shown that depression (whether experienced by the expectant mother or by the future dad) increases the risks of premature birth.
The study, published in the medical journal BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, was carried out on 350,000 births, which occurred between 2007 and 2012. Result: when one of the two parents suffered from depression between the moment of conception and the second trimester of pregnancy, scientists observed prematurity in the child – a birth less than 36 weeks pregnant.
Psychological support can be useful
The risk increased from 30 to 40% when only the mother was concerned (it was also higher when the disease took on a chronic character), and by 38% on average when only the father was concerned (this time, the recurrence of the pathology did not further increase the risk).
“Depression in one of the two partners can cause considerable stress for the mother-to-be, which has repercussions on the health of the child. In the event of doubt or persistent discomfort, psychological support is advised, ”the scientists analyze. As a reminder, various studies show that prematurity has consequences on the future life of the child: the risks of autism are higher, as well as the risk of school failure, growth retardation and behavioral disorders.
