What should you know about third trimester depression?

Pregnancy can change sleep, energy, appetite, and concentration, so depression may be easy to dismiss as part of late pregnancy. Depression may present with ongoing sadness, emptiness, guilt, irritability, loss of enjoyment, Fatigue, Difficulty Concentrating, or feeling disconnected from the pregnancy. Feeling Anxious can occur alongside depression. Symptoms that persist, intensify, or interfere with relationships and daily tasks deserve assessment; they are not a personal failure.

Tell your obstetric clinician, midwife, general practitioner, or another trusted healthcare professional what has changed and how long it has lasted. Treatment may include talking therapy, practical support, and medication chosen with pregnancy in mind. Keep regular meals, gentle movement if approved, and contact with supportive people, but do not rely on self-care alone when symptoms are persistent. Ask for help with appointments, rest, childcare planning, or daily tasks while you recover.

Seek urgent help now if you are thinking about harming yourself or someone else, feel unable to stay safe, hear or see things others do not, or feel severely confused or unusually energised with little need for sleep. Contact your maternity team promptly if low mood, hopelessness, panic, or inability to function is worsening. Difficulty Sleeping and Insomnia can amplify distress, so mention sleep changes even if mood symptoms seem mild.

Could my symptoms be depression, anxiety, sleep-related, or a physical problem? Which talking treatments are available? If medication is considered, what are the pregnancy and breastfeeding considerations?