Kochi: Excessive anxiety and tension increased risk for depression among pregnant women in Kerala. Recent studies showed that pre-natal depression among women is increasing at an alarming rate in the state.

Unfortunately, majority of women or their family fail to identify prenatal depression as physical and mental changes are normal during pregnancy. It is observed that prenatal depression cases go unattended as most of the people neglect symptoms by providing more care for physical and mental well-being of the pregnant woman.

Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (IMHANS) in Kozhikode carried out a study to identify prenatal depression. The study was conducted on over 1200 pregnant women. When postnatal depression was found on 14.5 percent women, 11 percent women were identified with prenatal depression. It was also found that growth of the baby will be affected if mother suffers prenatal depression.

As per the records of World Health Organisation, about 10 percent women during pregnancy and 13 per cent woman post-delivery suffered from mental problems. In developing countries, 15.6 percent women suffer prenatal depression and 19.8 percent suffer postnatal depression.

Reasons for prenatal depression

Excessive anxiety over delivery

Unexpected pregnancy

Pressure on child’s gender from family and society

Misbehaviour of husband

Stopping the medicine for mental problem

Abortion history or experience of others

Lack of care and protection from husband

Distance from first child

Support and proper care are necessary

“Pregnant women and mothers need complete support and care for anxiety and mental pressure. Normally, people used to neglect such mental problems. But actually women must be given proper care and support for at least 15 months from pregnancy to post-delivery. Special care will be given to mental health during every medical check-up. Offices should provide special facility to take care of pregnant women," said psychologist CJ John.