If you take antidepressants and are thinking about continuing to use them while you are pregnant, there are several factors you should consider. If your depression is significant, it can affect your life in very negative ways. Counseling often can improve depression, and we recommend no matter what your decision about using antidepressants that you contact a local counselor if you do not already have one.
There are several medications that we prescribe for patients while they are pregnant, but you should know that all medications have certain risks to the pregnancy. Also, the decision to use or not use the medication is yours based on the recommendations of your obstetrician and your mental health professional as well.
- For the initial treatment of mild-to-moderate symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression, we suggest cognitive behavioral or interpersonal psychotherapy.
- Maintaining a normal mood throughout your pregnancy and preventing postpartum recurrence of depression are the most important goals of treatment. Untreated, or undertreated, maternal depression poses significant risks to both you and your baby. These risks often outweigh the risks associated with taking medications.
- The overall risk of birth defects as the result of your taking SSRI drugs such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft appears to be low. Several studies have, however, reported an association between exposure to these medications and cardiovascular defects. These findings remain controversial and are waiting to be confirmed by other studies.
- SSRIs, as well as other antidepressants, have been also been associated with a risk of pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, shorter gestation, and low birth weight, as well as an increased risk of breathing problems in the newborn. Any increased risk is probably small and needs to be considered in the context of the potentially greater risk to you and your child that may result from not treating your depression.
- SSRIs can also affect the baby immediately after birth because of a withdrawal effect on the newborn. This could lead to irritability and difficulty with feeding and temperature regulation. The long-term effects on your baby aren’t entirely known.
- Although Prozac is the best studied drug in pregnancy and the SSRI with the largest amount of long-term follow-up data of infants who were exposed, it has a long half-life. This mean it can build up in your baby’s system. In addition, the transfer rate of Prozac through breastfeeding is higher than for other SSRIs. As a result, we suggest avoiding Prozac as a first-line antidepressant in pregnancy.
- We suggest using Wellbutrin if you have attention deficit disorder, have not responded to other medications, or want help to stop smoking.
If you are taking antidepressants and become pregnant, talk to your doctor about the right approach for managing your depression for you and your baby.
After going to another clinic in Cheyenne that didn’t treat me as a priority, it was a breath of fresh air stepping into Cheyenne Women’s Clinic. The entire staff was amazing, but Dr. Dozier was exceptional. She was kind, patient & answered any questions I had with great detail. I will never not recommend her. I am so pleased with my experience here.
I feel so lucky to have had the doctors at the Women’s Clinic for all three of my deliveries and GYN care. They provide high quality, compassionate, evidenced based care and Cheyenne is lucky to have such a great group!
I absolutely have loved it here! We just finished having our second kiddo and have worked with the vast majority of doctors here and they are all excellent!
Had an absolute amazing experience with the Cheyenne Woman’s Clinic during my first pregnancy. They did their best to accommodate my labor desires and made me feel as comfortable as can be. My husband appreciated how they took care of me, and now we’re going back with our second pregnancy! Highly recommend.
All of my appointments I’ve attended through the Women’s Clinic have been amazing the nurses and doctors have been lots of help throughout my whole pregnancy with lots of advice and support, I love every person from there they definitely are a welcoming and loving place!
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