Family Health
Pregnancy Distress
Revisiting some myths around the 'glowing bump'
"Psychological distress and mental disorders continue to be perceived and labelled negatively in modern society."
E
xpecting a baby is usually experienced as a source of utmost joy, excitement and glorious expectations for parents. New evidence, however, is having us rethink some myths surrounding the “glowing bump”. Pregnancy, once believed to be a time of greater emotional wellbeing for women, has been linked to a range of mood disorders. Research shows that a growing number of women worldwide are demonstrating high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress during pregnancy. These women are found to have a range of common concerns including loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities,
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Your Local Families Magazine – Brisbane Issue 6 - October/November 2014
isolation, prolonged sadness and crying, and uncontrollable worrying about the pregnancy, the baby, labour and parenthood. Psychological distress during pregnancy has been linked to a number of potentially adverse consequences for both bub and mum, such as problematic birth, prematurity, low birth weight, less than optimal adjustment to motherhood, bonding, and postnatal depression. Furthermore, new mums find themselves doubting their own abilities to take care of a newborn, thus enabling a vicious circle of insecurity and low self-esteem.