[Pregnancy and depression]

Abstract

Depression is common in pregnant women and is often not treated. It can have major consequences for both mother and child. It is associated with several complications, including miscarriages, vaginal bleeding and preterm birth. It is important, that healthcare professionals, who have contact with pregnant women, have knowledge about dealing with pregnant women with depression and its symptoms, as a large proportion of these depressions continue post-partum. In this review, we describe the aetiology, assessment, potential complication, antenatal care and treatment of pregnant women with depression.