What causes depression?

There may be a number of reasons why a woman gets depressed. Hormone changes or a stressful life event, such as a death in the family, can cause chemical changes in the brain that lead to depression. Depression is also an illness that runs in some families. Other times, it’s not clear what causes depression.

During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, these factors may increase a woman’s chance of depression:

• Hormone complications prior to getting pregnant
  
• History of depression or substance abuse
  
• History of low progesterone or low thyroid
  
• Poor eating habits with dietary foods high in sugar or processed carbohydrates that cause lowering of the brain chemicals for mood
  
• Family history of mental illness
  
• Little support from family and friends
  
• Anxiety about the fetus
  
• Sleep deprivation
  
• Toxic or high levels of stress
  
• Problems with previous pregnancy or birth
  
• Marital or financial problems
  
• Young age (of  mother)