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Antidepressants and Pregnancy

From what is known about antidepressants and pregnancy, certain types of antidepressants may cause problems in the fetus. Newborns exposed to SSRIs during pregnancy have been shown to develop problems such as seizures, tremors, and difficulty breathing. However, untreated depression during pregnancy also carries certain risks. If you are taking antidepressants and pregnancy occurs, talk to your healthcare provider about the potential benefits and risks of continuing your medication.

 

Taking Antidepressants During Pregnancy: An Overview

All antidepressants pose some risk to the fetus when used during pregnancy, although some antidepressants are riskier than others. However, untreated depression also carries risks. As a result, pregnant women and their healthcare providers face the dilemma of deciding what approach is best for their particular situations.
 

The Dilemma of Antidepressants and Pregnancy

One recent study has shown that women who stop taking antidepressants during pregnancy are five times more likely to have a depression relapse compared to women who keep taking their antidepressants. However, recent studies have also shown that some antidepressants may not be as safe for pregnant women as was once thought.
 
Depression during pregnancy carries certain risks, such as:
 
  • Higher risk for poor weight gain
  • Higher risk for alcohol and substance abuse
  • Higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases.
     
All of these things can have negative effects on the health of both the mother and the fetus.
 
(Antidepressants and Pregnancy Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;