Approximately 14% of pregnant women suffer from depression. Some women, worried about the effects taking medication will have on the fetus, may avoid taking their antidepressants. However, a study determined that acupuncture is a valid alternative therapy and reduces depressive symptoms.
“The study included 150 pregnant women diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Some received depression-specific acupuncture treatments, others had needles inserted in acupuncture points not known to relieve depression, and a third group received massage therapy.
All of the women received therapy for eight weeks and were interviewed at the four- and eight-week marks by someone who did not know which treatment they were getting.
The researchers say 63% of the women who received depression-specific acupuncture reported a significant reduction in symptoms, compared to 44% of women in the other two groups combined. Remission rates were not significantly lower in the depression-specific acupuncture group compared to the other two groups.” (Hendrick 2010)
This is great news for women suffering from perinatal depression and looking for a holistic approach for treatment!