When you are pregnant, the food you eat affects both you and your baby. Western diets are typically high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which humans need to consume in order to maintain good health. Omega-3 fatty...
Everyone suffers from states of sadness and fatigue. However, chronic and persistent unhappiness may lead to a clinical diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. According to mental health guidelines provided by the American Psychiatric...
Mild forms of depression are commonly experienced in most people at any given point in life. When the feeling of sadness is pervasive and begins to interfere with daily functioning, however, it is possible that a diagnosable depressive disorder...
The National Institute of Mental Health writes that depression is more than the occasional feeling of sadness, lasting a couple of days. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric...
Research has shown that populations consuming large amounts of fatty fish, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, have lower levels of depression than those who don't. These observations, combined with clinical studies showing that depressed...
Approximately 14.8 million American adults suffer from depression, according to the National Institutes of Health. Sometimes the condition is temporary. The mother of a newborn, for example, may have short-term post-partum depression. But...
Testosterone is a male hormone that can be measured through a blood test. According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, a female whose blood testosterone measures 30 to 95 nanograms per dL indicates a high testosterone level, though...
Post partum depression (PPD) is a serious form of depression affecting 12 to 15 percent of women, according to the University of Michigan. Symptoms are similar to the "baby blues" which occurs for about a week in 80 percent of women after...
Fish oil contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential fatty acids the human body cannot make but requires to function properly. EPA and DHA are the most important components of fish oil. EPA improves heart and immune health, while DHA...
A stillbirth can put a strain on any relationship. The sadness and grief that follows the ending of a pregnancy in a tragic way can have you wondering what you did wrong and how you could have changed things. Stillbirths are most often caused by...
Giving birth is a tumultuous experience characterized by rapidly changing hormone levels, emotional upheavals, and great anxiety and concern about bring a good parent. Around 13 percent of the time, the U.S. Department of Health states, the...
The early years of life are crucial in a child's development. A child who receives affection and positive feedback from adults, good nutrition and has safe surroundings is less likely to face the challenges of poor health, poverty and...
Postpartum depression is a common complication of childbirth, occurring in as many as one in eight women, the March of Dimes reports. Postpartum depression is more severe than the "baby blues" caused by rapid hormonal changes after delivery, which...
Pregnant moms take DHA prenatal vitamins for themselves and their babies. If you are pregnant or nursing, consider taking a DHA prenatal vitamin to improve your baby's brain development, central nervous system development, eyesight and sensory...
With pregnancy comes weight gain, some of which is not easy to lose. According to WomensHealth.gov, women lose an average of 10 lbs. after giving birth. Considering you may gain 20 to 40 lbs. during pregnancy, this amount does not seem like a lot....
Melatonin is a hormone produced in your brain by the pineal gland. It helps maintain your body's circadian rhythm, a natural clock that regulates the times when you go to sleep and wake up. Your body produces less melatonin during daylight hours...
Massage therapy is usually thought of as a treatment that adults enjoy. Infant massage has been used frequently in other parts of the world. According to Vanderbilt University, infant massage has only just begun to be used in the United States....
Many new moms are eager to get rid of their maternity clothes and back into pre-pregnancy form. If you're one of those moms, it's best to embrace patience and commitment to a healthy lifestyle, along with that newborn. Follow a nutritious diet and...
According to MayoClinic.com, exercise during pregnancy boosts energy levels and helps ease back pain, in addition to preventing excessive weight gain. Additionally, exercise reduces the risk of gestational diabetes and other pregnancy...
Bottle feeding is the alternative to breast-feeding. Although formula provides all of the nutrients a baby needs to grow and thrive, there are advantages and disadvantages to choosing to feed a baby with formula. These considerations extend not...
Depression is a group of illnesses characterized by depressive emotions, such as sadness, loneliness and purposelessness, that detract from your ability to function normally. Forms of depression include major depression--severe depression that...
Fish oil contains essential long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, fats necessary for the development of the fetal eyes and the central nervous system. In addition to the potential benefits to the fetus, pregnant mothers may benefit from omega-3...
Exercising while pregnant can be an important part of preparing to be a mom. You are going to need a strong upper body once the baby arrives. All that lifting into car seats, pushing strollers, and performing everyday tasks with one arm while...
The seeds of the hemp plant have been used as a rich food source by many different cultures for hundreds of years. A number of hemp-based powders are available and can serve as vegetarian sources of protein, vitamins, fatty acids and fiber. These...
A healthy diet is always important, but it's essential when you are pregnant. The Mayo Clinic notes there is no magic formula for what to eat or drink during pregnancy. The basic principles of healthy eating still apply, but there are certain...
Anemia from iron deficiency is common in lactating women, especially following anemia in pregnancy, explains the MOBI Motherhood International website. Blood loss during labor and insufficient diet are just two possible causes of anemia. Women who...
Exercise during pregnancy can help reduce back pain, increase your energy and decrease your risk of post-partum depression. Generally, 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week is recommended, with your activity level changing to accommodate...
EPA and DHA are two different types of omega-3 essential fatty acids whose consumption is inadequate in the typical American diet as of 2011, states the American Pregnancy Association. EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid, and DHA, docosahexaenoic acid,...
If you suffer from depression, your doctor may prescribe one or more treatments, generally medication and psychotherapy. Medication comes with a host of unpleasant side effects and is not a permanent cure for depression, although it may help...
Postpartum depression refers to the clinical depression that can occur in women after childbirth. Learn more about post partum depression, including symptoms and treatments, in this health video.
