Light therapy and Pregnancy

Light therapy has helped many people suffering with seasonal depression and now there is hope that it can have positive results on pregnant women who are experiencing levels of depression.

Pregnancy is challenging with a perfect text book pregnancy and many pregnancies are not textbook they are filled with surprises. With the physical changes, hormonal imbalances, anxiety and preparations for the baby expectant mothers face a lot of feelings, including that of depression. Light therapy can be an excellent option for expectant mothers who are experiencing depression.

It is said that 1 in 10 pregnant women experience depression of some kind. The effects of depression lead to babies being born under weight and often early.  The Penn Center for Women's Behavioral Wellness in Philadelphia decided to do a study to see just how effective light therapy was in the situation of a pregnant woman.

The pregnant women were asked to expose themselves to the light box for an hour within the first few minutes of waking up. It was evident that throughout the five weeks of light therapy that depression was reduced. Being exposed to the light is like being outside for a period of time.

Light therapy is a box filled with UV lights that imitate natural sunlight and a person engaging in light therapy looks at the lights for a period of time daily. In order to do light therapy you need a light therapy box and can choose to do it alone or with the help of a therapist. The down side of light therapy is without enthusiasm and determination it is easy to let it slide and not receive the full benefits offered by light therapy.

If you or a person you know are experiencing depression related to pregnancy and are looking for therapy then Light Therapy might your answer.