Mental disorders in women during pregnancy

Appear more often in primiparas in the first half of pregnancy in parallel to the toxicosis of pregnancy and immediately before childbirth. Disorders in the first months of pregnancy are usually reduced to sharpening certain traits. Some women become more irritable, excitable, sometimes aggressive; Others - impressionable, whiny, touchy, demanding increased attention, especially from the side of her husband. A part of women, who have an anxious-hypochondriac character, have anxious concentration on pregnancy, fear of the possibility of miscarriage. Disturbing thoughts about unexpected fetal death or possible malformations of the fetus are aggravated if there are at least insignificant circumstances aggravating the course of pregnancy: associated somatic illness, especially influenza, forced or accidental use of drugs, previous abortions or miscarriages. In such cases, anxious thoughts become persistent, unrelenting, the dream is disturbed, the woman grows thin, instead of gaining weight. The influence of psychotraumatic situations in the family, etc. is not ruled out. Toxicosis 1 half of pregnancy in the form of nausea, vomiting usually helps to increase mental disorders.
Vomiting resumes not only at the sight or smell of food, but also when thinking about food. In the middle and beginning of the second half of pregnancy, most women feel good. As the genus approaches, especially among the primiparous, various neurotic reactions arise, mainly of an alarming number. In addition to the natural fear of childbirth itself, birth pains, anxious fears arise for the child (whether the fetus's position is correct, or whether the child will receive an injury during childbirth). There is a fear for the life of the child and his: and suddenly the birth will end with the death of the child or with one's own death. Similar thoughts are amplified in connection with additional psychogenic moments, with ill health (toxicosis II half of pregnancy, other diseases of internal organs).
The main method is explanatory psychotherapy, autogenic training. If possible, medication, especially in the first half of pregnancy, should be excluded, except for situations that are dangerous for the mother or fetus. As a sedative, infusions and decoctions of herbs (valerian, motherwort, peony) are recommended. Tranquilizers, antidepressants and other drugs should be used only as directed by a doctor. With severe toxemia of 1 half of pregnancy, small doses of neuroleptics that relieve nausea, vomiting and other vegetative manifestations (etaperazine, haloperidol in drops) are successfully used.
Before giving birth, the indications for the use of drugs are wider, because The probability of their harmful influence on the development of the fetus is significantly reduced. Often appointed sedatives, sleeping pills, both before childbirth and during labor.