Depresi kehamilan (Perinatal and postnatal depression)

What is perinatal and postnatal depression?

Depression during pregnancy and depression after pregnancy

Depression is the leading cause of disease related disability among women. In particular, women of childbearing age are at high risk for major depression. Pregnancy and new motherhood may increase the risk of depressive episodes. Depression during the perinatal period can have devastating consequences, not only for the women experiencing it but also for the women’s children and family.

Perinatal and postnatal period is a time of vulnerability to depression rather than a time of universally good mental health for all women. A women is 4 times more likely to become depressed at this time than at any other stage in her life. Depression is a real problem for 10-15% of women, that is at least one in ten. This is different from 'the blues' which is a brief period of lowered, irritable and fluctuating mood that occurs about 3-5 days after giving birth, in 20-50% of women.

All women with babies and young children experience extraordinary tiredness, and a level of exhaustion that has never been experienced before.

Beware to perinatal depression! the effect of it is very dangerous. Depression will make woman not just feeling sad. Decreasing in quality of life is reported in perinatal depression cases.

Ronny T Wirasto
Dept of Psychiatry
Medical School Gadjah Mada University