Depression during pregnancy: Starting a Conversation About Your Mood

Depression can begin during pregnancy as well as after birth. Persistent sadness, hopelessness or losing interest in things you usually enjoy are reasons to speak with your midwife or GP. You do not need to feel grateful, excited or cheerful before you deserve care.

Look beyond whether you are crying

Depression may involve feeling irritable, withdrawing from people, struggling to concentrate or blaming yourself harshly. Appetite and sleep can change too. Pregnancy itself can affect some of these things, so an assessment considers the pattern and its impact rather than one symptom alone.

Tell the clinician what has changed in daily life. For example, explain that you no longer answer friends, find basic tasks overwhelming or feel low most of the time. You can write this down or bring someone you trust if speaking feels difficult.

Share your history and current treatment

Mention previous depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, other mental health care and any medicines you take. This helps the team understand which support may be suitable. It also matters if symptoms improved or became worse after previous treatment changes.

If you already use an antidepressant, do not stop or change the dose without discussing it with the prescriber. The antidepressants in pregnancy guide covers how to review treatment without an abrupt change.

Make a treatment plan together

Options can include supported self help, talking therapy and medicines, depending on the symptoms and your preferences. Some people need a combination or specialist perinatal mental health care. Ask what the proposed treatment involves and how progress will be reviewed.

A useful plan names the next appointment and who to contact if things deteriorate. If anxiety is also prominent, tell the clinician; the pregnancy anxiety guide can help you describe that part of the experience. You do not have to decide which symptom deserves attention first.

Ask for practical help while receiving care

Choose tasks another person could take over, such as preparing a meal, arranging transport or helping with an appointment. Try to keep contact with someone supportive in a way that feels manageable. Small daily steps may be useful, but they are not a test you have to pass before accessing treatment.

Discuss support after birth as part of the plan, even if delivery is still months away. The people caring for you should know how to continue treatment and follow up.

Respond promptly to a crisis

Seek urgent medical help if you begin hearing or seeing things others do not, or develop beliefs that those around you find unusual or concerning. Thoughts of harming yourself also need urgent support. If there is immediate danger or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe, call emergency services or go to an emergency department now.