Research has found that around 14% women fall prey to depression during pregnancy. And if not attended properly, it can cause harm to both the mother and the baby.

When motherhood is a new domain for a woman, and there are unusual hormonal changes, it can often make pregnant ladies go into depression.

Stress, history of depression, lack of social support and unwanted pregnancy are major factors that contribute to growing risk of depression in pregnant women. Moreover, maternal anxiety, domestic violence can also lead to depression in pregnant ladies.

A research at Stanford University School of Medicine says that acupuncture treatments can lower the symptoms of depression in pregnant women.

Acupuncture is a famous Chinese traditional medicine, whereby the filiform needle is inserted and directed into various parts of the body to ease pain.

Researchers observed that out of 150 women, 63% reported a decline in depression symptoms after receiving acupuncture treatment.

Depression in pregnant women can lead pre-mature delivery, preeclampsia, sleep disturbances and disrupted mother-infant bonding. So, it is imperative to get the treatment done for depression during pregnancy to avoid complications in the growing fetus and the mother.

It is seen that children whose mothers are depressed during pregnancy turn out to be rebellious and are often aggressive in nature.

Also, women who are violent during their teens are more prone to become depressed during pregnancy. It is said that mother's history foretells their own children's anti-social behavior.

Meanwhile, according to a recent study, majority of the Australians think that depression during pregnancy is normal and natural. But that doesn't mean that it should not be taken seriously.

Psychologist Nicole Highet, says, "Maybe people are confusing the baby blues, which is quite normal and it does pass on its own, with depression, which is certainly not normal and it's something that needs to be picked up as soon as possible".

So as soon as symptoms of depression are identified in pregnant women, treatment should follow without any delay.