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Watch out millennial moms-to-be

As per a study, they are 50 per cent more likely to suffer depression during pregnancy than their mothers. Experts tell us why

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Fast-paced life and pressures of social media make it tough for millenial to-be mothers
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We live in a technologically advanced era characterised by convenience, which has made life simpler but still life is not that easy, especially for the millennials. And now, a study drives this point home, saying that pregnant millennial women are facing much more difficulties due to fast-paced and pressures of social media.

What research says

A study conducted on young women by scientists at Bristol University, UK, found mental health problems during pregnancy are 51 per cent more likely than they were a generation ago. It’s social media and the pace of modern life that are driving up rates of depression and anxiety in mothers-to-be, they found.

Researchers studied 2,390 pregnant women aged between 19 and 24 from 1990 to 1992, and then repeated the procedure with 180 of their daughters who were pregnant between 2012 and 2016. They found rates of depression and anxiety rose from 17 per cent in the first group to 25 per cent in the second. 

The study concluded, “The impact of such changes may be amplified when a woman becomes pregnant. This generation of young women has also experienced rapid change in technology, internet, and social media use, which has been associated with increased feelings of depression, social isolation and changes to social relationships.”

Anxiety and depression quite common among pregnant women

“One in every four women I meet going through pregnancy have depressive or anxiety symptoms. The age group varies from late 20s to late 30s. Majority of these women are working, from middle class to upper middle class background, but I guess that is also because they can afford to seek help,” says Mansi Hasan, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, tobacco treatment specialist. 

A decade ago, numbers were less than half

The numbers are definitely on the rise. About a decade ago, they were less than half, says gynaecologist Suman Bijlani, who refers about four to five pregnant women per month to a counsellor/ psychiatrist for anxiety and depression. 

Fast-paced life

The ratio is definitely higher and the causes could range from access to a lot of information on the internet, which raises speculations and differing opinions and hence, becoming one’s own doctor, to adapting lifestyle, which is quite fast-paced, informs Dr Anjali Chhabria, psychiatrist and psychotherapist. “There is the stress of various things these days which might lead to anxiety and mood fluctuations, eating habits and increased sedentary lifestyle might also be contributing factors to the raising number,” she adds.

Superwoman Syndrome

One of the reasons for the increase in depression and anxiety among pregnant women is the Superwoman Syndrome, explains Hasan. They want to manage it all — work, home, hectic schedules and just not wanting to compromise on any of them. Hormonal changes, lack of support system due to nuclear family, managing job and the house plus a pregnancy can get become a bit too much. Women are constantly juggling and this can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety. 

Pregnant women face additional stress as women have always been multitasking — managing home, career and relationships. However, today’s woman wants to work on her looks and fitness too, says Bijlani. “When she becomes pregnant, she rightly wants to give pregnancy her best shot which is often difficult. Women often work long hours leaving no time for rest or exercise. Also, pregnancy demands small adjustments like frequent and healthy meals, or avoiding standing for prolonged periods, just putting your legs up during the day for a few minutes if they are swollen or dealing with morning sickness or backache. Long hours of travel, stress at work, sitting at computers for long, all of these strain the body and mind,” she adds. 

TIPS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Mansi Hasan shares the following advice:

  • Enjoy your pregnancy: By that, I don’t mean stay in bed and only think about being pregnant. Prioritise yourself. Do as much as you can. Don’t let the fears and guilt take over. You will have a flourishing career and will fit into your old pair of jeans again. But for now, make this journey enjoyable. 
     
  • Say ‘no’: Say not just to others but even yourself when you are pushing yourself too hard. 
     
  • ‘Me’ time: Do things that make you happy, feel fit, eat right, sleep well, pamper yourself, dress up look good and get some ‘me’ time. 
     
  • Reduce the workload: If you’re working, don’t stop but don’t take on more than you can manage. Reduce your workload. There’s no harm in slowing down. Ask your husband, family and friends for help. 
     
  • Seek help: Please seek counselling if you are feeling overwhelmed. Talk therapy is extremely helpful to reduce anxiety and feelings of sadness.
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