Doctors have discovered that acupuncture may be an effective form of treatment for expectant mothers who are suffering from depression, thus opening up new avenues for alleviating some of the emotional problems that pregnant women face.

Depression affects nearly 20% of expectant mothers, and the symptoms range from mild to severe. In serious cases, depression can pose a threat to both mother and child. A woman’s range of options include therapy and medication, which have proven to be effective, but many women might have reservations about taking antidepressant drugs while pregnant.

The use of acupuncture, however, would represent an alternative way to treat depression without the use of drugs, or as a complement to them. Doctors arrived at their findings by way of a randomized trial that examined 150 participants who met certain criteria for depression. The subjects were divided into three groups that received either acupuncture that targeted a specific need (including depression) or massage. Each subject’s emotional state was measured at four and eight weeks.

The researchers found that women who received depression-specific acupuncture reported lower levels of depression, compared to the controls, with mild and transient side effects reported in less than one third of the subjects. Depression was measured using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.

Depression is a serious problem that should not be ignored. Symptoms include trouble sleeping, too much sleep, general apathy, loss of energy, irritability, and thoughts of suicide. Depression during pregnancy is especially difficult because diagnosis is complicated by the fact that pregnancy can result in feelings that are similar to depression.

More importantly, however, is that standard treatment options for depression, which may include the use of antidepressant medication, might affect the unborn child. In fact, there are still no clear answers regarding the effects of these drugs on the fetus, so it is understandable that women might be concerned.

Depression in pregnant women, however, should not be ignored. According to the March of Dimes, as many as 1 in 5 expectant mothers feel some level of depression, with 10% experiencing depression that is categorized as severe. If left unattended, depression can be detrimental to both mother and child. In fact, it has been reported that depression can adversely affect the birth of their child, potentially increasing their chances of being born prematurely or with low birth weights, as well as being irritable, inactive, and inattentive.

Depression might also predispose an expectant mother to preeclampsia (unusually high blood pressure during pregnancy), poor prenatal care, bad eating habits, substance abuse to ease their suffering, and even suicide.

If you or someone you know is expecting a baby and you suspect that depression is a problem, seek help as soon as possible. Speak to your doctor or reach out to family and friends. For more information about depression during pregnancy, visit the website for the March of Dimes or the American Pregnancy Association.