Acupuncture may help treat pregnancy depression

Pregnant women with depression can get relief from acupuncture, a new study has suggested.

"Depression during pregnancy is an issue of concern because it has negative effects on both the mother and the baby as well as the rest of the family," said Dr. Schnyer, one of the study's authors.

In the study, researchers studied 150 women who were pregnant and classified as depressed in a double-blind study, which is considered the most effective type of experiment.

About one-third of the women in the study were given acupuncture meant to treat depression. Another group was given a sham version of acupuncture and a third was treated with massage.

Each group got 12 treatments over 8 weeks.

The women who received the real acupuncture had a greater decrease in the severity of their symptoms than either control group. More women in the experimental group also responded to the treatment.

The patients getting sham needles and massage had about the same response rates as each other, according to the study.

The study is important because a depressed mother-to-be can have negative effects on herself, her baby and the rest of the family. Many women do not want to take anti-depressants during pregnancy out of concerns for the unborn child.

The study was to be presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting.