When you find out you are pregnant, you are likely excited and nervous in equal measure. And while it is a joyous occasion, you may also begin to think of how you will need to change your routines and health regimen when you have an unborn child growing inside you. If you are a sufferer of depression and anxiety and currently dealing with those issues, you may wonder what you can do to keep your mental health intact while having a healthy, unaffected pregnancy. Get to know some of the ways that you can manage and handle your depression and anxiety while you are pregnant so you can take care of yourself as well as your child during your pregnancy.

Go to Counseling and Therapy Sessions

Even if you have been managing your depression and anxiety without frequent therapy sessions, it would be a good idea for you to resume your sessions during pregnancy. A major part of this has to do with all of the changes that will be going on, both within your body and in your life as you prepare to bring a baby into the world.

The hormone surges and changes in your body will not just trigger your baby to grow and nutrients to be funneled to your unborn child as a first priority. They can also affect the balance of chemicals and hormones in your brain. And because brain chemistry has much to do with the symptoms of anxiety and depression, going to therapy will help you better deal with those shifts and to understand how you are feeling.

Talk to Your Psychiatrist About Your Medications

If you have been managing your depression and anxiety with prescription medications, you may be wondering if you can safely continue to take your medication while pregnant. After all what you consume, your unborn baby also consumes.

Before you stop taking medications that help you to manage and control your mental health conditions, you will want to contact your psychiatrist and speak to your ob/gyn about how your specific medications and doses can affect your pregnancy. Some mental health medications are not as safe during pregnancy than others.

You may, therefore, need to find a different medication, adjust your dosage, or possibly try to stop taking your medications while pregnant. However, you should never stop your medications entirely without first consulting with your medical team.

Now that you know more about handling your depression and anxiety while you are pregnant, you can rest assured that you will be able to maintain your mental health and have a healthy pregnancy at the same time.

Contact a professional like Mile High OB GYN for more information.