Research on HG's short- and long-term effects is desperately needed and needed now. We need to do more to find a cure for this disease that has such devastating effects on a growing number of soon-to-be mothers.

Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA)

HG forces women to make difficult decisions... the H.E.R. web site is the most comprehensive location to educate oneself to make the best decisions.

Marlena S. Fejzo, PhD USA

HG is a devastating illness and yet so little research has been undertaken into causes and therapies.

Dr. Matthes Seeling, MD

HG is a tremendously debilitating disease that can have life-long consequences. This Web site will provide much needed support to mothers suffering from this disease.

TM Goodwin, MD USA

HG has a devastating personal and family impact and effective management is most important.

Ron Taylor, MD UK

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Home | For Health Professionals | Complications | Secondary Depression

Secondary Depression

Secondary Depression & Psychosocial Stress: related to inadequate support, helplessness, inactivity, malnutrition, dehydration, and overall misery. Depression in turn often results in complaints such as dysphoric mood, worrying, somatic and psychic anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, anger, and irritability.

Women should be assessed postpartum for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and PPD (Postpartum Depression) which can adversely impact future pregnancies.

Offsite Research:

Chronic stressors, social support, and depression during pregnancy.
Seguin L, Potvin L, St-Denis M, Loiselle J.
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Canada.
Obstetrics & Gynecology 1995 Apr;85(4):583-9.

During pregnancy, depressive symptoms are common, especially in women of low socioeconomic status, and are strongly related to socioenvironmental factors.

[Physical activity among pregnant women in relation to pregnancy-related complaints and symptoms of depression] [Article in Norwegian]
Nordhagen IH, Sundgot-Borgen J.
Seksjon for idrettsmedisin Norges idrettshogskole Postboks 806 Ulleval Stadion 0863 Oslo. (e-mail: ingjerd@delfinen.no)
Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening 2002 Feb 20;122(5):470-4.

Psychosocial correlates of prepartum and postpartum depressed mood.
Da Costa D, Larouche J, Dritsa M, Brender W.
Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Long Island Campus for Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, NY.
Journal of Affective Disorders 2000 Jul;59(1):31-40.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and pregnancy complications.
Seng JS, Oakley DJ, Sampselle CM, Killion C, Graham-Bermann S, Liberzon I.
School of Nursing, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. (e-mail: julia-seng@uiowa.edu)
Obstetrics & Gynecology 2001 Jan;97(1):17-22.

Updated on: Mar. 24, 2010

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