What kind of antidepressants are safe during pregnancy

Ultimately, only you and your physician can determine what's best for you. Some women may want to discontinue antidepressants while pregnant because of the small risk of complications. Here are some questions to ponder before you do and remember, you should never stop medication without consulting your physician first. Most antidepressants are prescribed based on a doctor's comfort level and what works for the patient.

While antidepressants may slightly raise the risk of complications in pregnant women, it's important to realize that not treating depression can have serious consequences. For example, a mom-to-be with untreated depression may be more likely to not take good care of herself physically, and may take more over-the-counter medications , Dr.

Cohen says. She may also be more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol and to smoke. Adds Dr. Puryear: "Given the stigma toward mental illness , women are often more reluctant to take psychiatric medication while they are pregnant. Somehow they have the idea that they 'should' be able to manage without it in order to protect their baby, but no one has this expectation for any other serious medical illness; women take medication for many different illnesses, including hypertension, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and others.

Depression is no different. Save Pin FB More. Pregnant woman taking medication; what prescriptions are safe during pregnancy? Credit: Shutterstock. How severe is my illness? Women who have had four or more major depressive episodes before pregnancy or an episode within the last six months are most likely to relapse if they discontinue medication during pregnancy, according to a study published in Epidemiology. Have I gone off medication before and relapsed? Some women know they'll get sick if they wean off their medication.

Have I tried psychotherapy? She explains how women can — and should — balance their mental health needs with a healthy pregnancy. Women who take antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , during pregnancy may worry about whether the medications can cause birth defects. There is good news on this front. Osborne says that there is generally no need to taper off medications during pregnancy. In fact, untreated mental illness itself poses risks to a developing fetus.

A woman who is depressed is less likely to get good prenatal care and more likely to engage in unhealthy or dangerous behaviors, like smoking and substance abuse. Osborne also says mental illness has direct effects on newborn babies. About 30 percent of babies whose mothers take SSRIs will experience neonatal adaptation syndrome, which can cause increased jitteriness, irritability and respiratory distress difficulty breathing , among other symptoms. If you have a mood disorder, you may benefit from speaking with a reproductive psychiatrist when you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant.

Being on an antidepressant should not keep you from having a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor can help you find a medication that can treat your depressive symptoms and is safe for you and your baby. If you decide to stop taking your antidepressant medication while you are pregnant, you should have a solid support system in place and strategies to help you cope with depression symptoms.

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