Behind the Smile: The Hidden Battle of New Mothers

By: Habiba zain

Pregnancy had often portrayed as a time of joy and excitement but for many women, it comes with silent struggles that few talk about. Depression during pregnancy and after childbirth is a hidden pain that can affect both the mother and her newborn if left untreated.
While welcoming a new life is expected to bring happiness, the emotional journey of pregnancy can be overwhelmingly difficult. From major hormonal shifts in the first trimester to the emotional roller coaster before and after delivery, depression can quietly take hold, often unnoticed even by woman herself.
According to Dr Mohamed Farouk depression during pregnancy typically unfolds in two distinct stages:

First trimester:

In the early months, the body undergoes massive hormonal changes. This often leads to mild symptoms such as sadness, irritability, a desire to cry, anxiety, or general discomfort. Fortunately, these feelings are usually temporary and tend to resolve without intervention.

Pre- delivery stage:

As delivery approaches, depression can intensify. This stage is more dangerous because the symptoms become stronger and may not fade on their own. If psychological therapy is not enough, doctors may prescribe safe, pregnancy-compatible medications. without Proper treatment, the risk of postpartum depression significantly increases a condition that can lead to dark thoughts, including suicidal ideation or even harming the baby. Immediate psychiatric care often needed to ensure the safety of both mother and child
Yasmin Roab, a young mother, shared: “Unfortunately, I did not really realize I was depressed during pregnancy because I was in university and had exams, but I was not acting normally — I was extremely irritable, everything made me angry. I was also physically unwell throughout the pregnancy, always throwing up, lost a lot of weight, got anemia, and even had to get a blood transfusion. And through all that, I did not feel like I had a bigger issue.”