Antidepressants and Pregnancy

Antidepressants and Pregnancy - Is It A Safe Mix?

At one time it was thought pregnancy offered immunity to depression.

Today, we know that is not true.

If you have depression before getting pregnant, you will probably have to deal with the condition during your pregnancy as well.

While pregnancy itself is not thought to directly cause depression or worsen it, the hormonal fluctuations and mood swings may make it more difficult.

Antidepressants and pregnancy is an issue that is under debate as no medication is entirely free of side effects.

However the risk to a developing fetus appears to be low, especially when the mental health of the mother has to be considered.

Health of Baby and Mother

When you consider the subject of antidepressants with your doctor, the health of your baby must be taken in to account. However with medication stopped, it is likely your depression will return.

If you are feeling depressed, you may not take care of your overall health such as eating properly, getting exercise, and keeping your doctor's appointments. That in itself may be a risk to your developing baby.

If you decide to stop taking antidepressants after finding you're pregnant, your depression may relapse. You may also suffer withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, anxiety, chills, and nausea.

Safe Antidepressants during Pregnancy

Some antidepressants appear to be safer during pregnancy than others. The Mayo Clinic recommends these popular medications as possibilities to consider: Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft, Amitriptyline, Pamelor, and Wellbutrin.

Unsafe Antidepressants during Pregnancy

The drugs are not free of side effects but the risk to a fetus is low. These antidepressants are recommended to be avoided during pregnancy: Paxil, Nardil, and Parnate.

Some of the possible complications to the baby when taking antidepressants include: pulmonary hypertension, septal heart defects, birth defects of the organs or skull, limb malformations, high blood pressure, and stroke. Antidepressants may also trigger a premature birth.

Watch for Withdrawal Symptoms

One potential problem with antidepressants and pregnancy is the effect on your baby at birth when the medication is suddenly cut off. Your baby may experience withdrawal symptoms itself with the corresponding side effects mentioned earlier.

Your doctor may recommend weaning your medication as your due date draws near. However, this should be weighed against the risk of post partum depression striking when your medication is not at an optimum dose.

There are many things to consider when it comes to antidepressants and pregnancy. There is no clear answer as the mother's health and the developing baby's health must both be protected.

Cognitive Therapy instead of Antidepressants

You and your doctor will have to arrive at a decision based upon your own individual circumstances. If your depression is mild, you may be able to safely stop your medication and rely on cognitive therapy as a way of dealing with your depression.

However, if you have severe depression, the risks of stopping your medication may outweigh the risk to your developing baby.

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