Pregnancy is a beautiful thing -- accompanied by a laundry list of not-so-beautiful symptoms: morning sickness, back pain, swollen ankles, heartburn and gas. Perhaps less discussed are the mental health symptoms that accompany the surging hormones, anxiety about new motherhood, and worries about everything from whether our late-night snack fits with our child’s prenatal dietary needs to whether or not we will be able to provide for our bundle of joy and give him or her a lifetime of happiness. For the most part, these worries and anxieties are a normal part of pregnancy, but if the dread and stress become overwhelming, it may be a sign that there is something more serious brewing, according to new research.

A study published in Lancet Psychiatry found that postpartum depression often begins during pregnancy. This new study, which included more than 8,200 women, contradicts the conventional belief that postpartum depression was simply linked to a dramatic drop in hormone levels after giving birth. However, this same research seems to indicate that complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, occurred in 60 percent of mothers who experienced moderate postpartum depression, raising the possibility that this type of depression might be linked to glitches in the immune system.

Regardless of the cause, it is clear that postpartum depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all disorder, and staying on top of your mental health and your physical health during pregnancy and after childbirth is essential. The following tips will help you manage your mental health during this time of your life:

Pay Attention To Your Emotions

Pregnant women and new mothers need to take their feelings seriously. Jokes about the hormonal behavior of pregnant women and new mothers may cause some women to chalk these feelings up to “part of the process,” but they are anything but. No one knows your own body and state of mind better than you do, and if you suspect that you aren’t feeling right or find yourself increasingly consumed by feelings of sadness, worry or dread, you need to talk to someone you trust. If you don’t feel comfortable confiding in friends or family, or if they don’t take you seriously, you need to follow up with a healthcare provider or therapist who can help you manage these feelings and guide you toward recovery.