Antidepressants And Pregnancy: Tips From An Expert

12/15/2023

 

Antidepressants And Pregnancy: What The Experts Have To Say

Experts say that if you have been free from symptoms for the last six months or only have mild depression, you might be able to discontinue the usage of antidepressants while you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Make sure to take this decision only after conferring with your ob-gyn and psychiatric experts. You may be able to manage your symptoms of depression with a few lifestyle changes along with psychotherapy.

Follow these tips from an expert to help you get through pregnancy without the use of antidepressant drugs:

• Do more physical activity or exercise to keep yourself active but within the permissible limits.

• Spend your time outside in nature, like walking in a park, hiking, cycling, etc.

• Practice yoga and meditate to keep yourself calm, and it also helps reduce stress.

• Talk with your therapist regularly and discuss your issues; it will help you feel better.

There are a few situations where the experts also recommend some pregnant women to continue taking their antidepressants to keep themselves and the baby safe, such as:

• If you have a history of recurrent or severe depression.

• If you have ever thought of suicide or have been suicidal before.

• If you have other mental illnesses, majorly bipolar disorder.

Understanding The Risks Associated With Antidepressants During Pregnancy

The results of the findings state that there are a few medications that are considered safe to take during pregnancy. Although some studies have shown inconclusive outcomes about the effects of depression medications on the fetus, however, there are still some studies that have shown that they tend to have a particular type of risk to a growing baby. The risks associated with antidepressants during pregnancy can affect the baby in different ways. The risks depend on the medication the mother takes during her pregnancy.

Below mentioned are a few threats to the baby that the researchers have reported, such as:

• A severe condition linked to the blood vessels in the lungs known as PPHN is Persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns.

• Heart defects in a newborn baby.

• Baby born before 37 weeks of gestation – Preterm birth.

• Miscarriage

• Low APGAR scores

• Baby being born less than 8 ounces or 5 pounds – Low birth weight.

• Childbirth defects such as craniosynostosis (affects the skull), anencephaly (affects the brain and spinal cord), omphalocele (affects the abdominal organs), and lastly, malformed limbs.

Be mindful when taking antidepressants during pregnancy, as antidepressant-exposed babies may have withdrawal symptoms, like below:

• Jitteriness

• Poor tone

• Breathing problems

• Irritability

• Low blood sugar

• Trouble feeding

It's important to note that some babies exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy may experience withdrawal symptoms, as stated earlier. However, these symptoms typically do not cause any long-term harm to the baby and often require only a short stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. The long-term effects of antidepressant exposure on a child's behavior and development are still mixed and inconclusive. Still, studies are not able to find significant differences in IQ, mood, behavior, activity level, or attention in children who were exposed to any antidepressant in the womb. It's essential to weigh the risks and benefits and make an informed decision with the help of your healthcare team.

Which Antidepressants Are Safe During Pregnancy?

Some drugs are considered safe to be taken during pregnancy. Doctors have suggested an Antidepressants Drugs List that is safer than other depression medications, such as:

• Amitriptyline (Elavil)

• Citalopram (Celexa) 

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin) 

• Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) 

• Desipramine (Norpramin) 

• Sertraline (Zoloft) 

• Nortriptyline (Pamelor) 

Do not think that these are the only safe medicines you can take during pregnancy. There can be other antidepressants as well, so do not worry if you don’t find the prescribed antidepressant drug in this list.

To Summarize

If you are depressed during your pregnancy term or if you are thinking of getting pregnant, the best way you can go about it is by talking to experts in both these fields. Your healthcare team, along with your family, would be able to guide you through this journey of tough decisions and check all the pros and cons of consuming antidepressants during your pregnancy term. You wouldn’t care how small or big the risk is; no mother would want to expose her baby to an unnecessary medication if it is harmful to the baby. After weighing all the pros and cons, you can choose the right path and make an informed decision that will allow your baby to live their life healthily for the long term.

It is not an easy decision to make, and there is no right or wrong answer to the question of whether you should take or stop taking the medicines during your pregnancy. If your doctor thinks the best step would be to stop taking the medicine, you should definitely try it. But as most antidepressants require some time to wean off, don’t stop them abruptly. Also, if you have made the decision not to stop taking the medication while you are pregnant, don’t panic; just remember the risks to the baby are extremely low, and if you do not treat your depression, that might pose a greater risk to you and the baby. Once you and your doctor have reached a final decision, do not second guess it; trust the decision. Because, like you, your healthcare team would also want the best possible result, which is a healthy baby and a mom.