Are Antidepressant Safe To Use During Pregnancy?

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Majority of women will consider pregnancy as one of the happiest moments of their lives. Between 14-23% of pregnant women, as reported by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or ACOG, will manifest symptoms of depression during the 3 trimesters. Depression during pregnancy or antepartum depression, is a mood disorder that has similar symptoms and management as the clinical depression. Support groups, psychotherapy and antidepressants like Paxil are used to address antepartum depression. But the safety and long-term effects of antidepressant intake during pregnancy has been the subject of a number of debates. In the instance that the mother and the baby are harmed by Paxil or other antidepressants, legal actions may be taken without disclosing the medical records of the mother.

Most women see the symptoms of antepartum depression as temporary moodiness that often accompanies pregnancy, leaving depression undiagnosed. Depressed woman feels sad or “blue” for 2 weeks or more. They will manifests symptoms like restlessness, suicidal ideations, weight loss or weight  gain not related to pregnancy, energy loss, trouble sleeping, and lack of interest.

Following diagnosis, it is important to treat depression. If it remains untreated, it poses dangerous risks to both the mother and the baby. Mothers may go into drinking, smoking, suicidal tendencies and may have poor nutrition which may cause premature birth, low birth weight and developmental problems on the baby. Support groups, private psychotherapy and medications are among the treatment options available for depression. Talk therapies like the support groups and private psychotherapy, involves talking to a therapist, psychologist or social worker to learn how to divert thoughts, feelings and acts of depression.

If talk therapy cannot manage depression, antidepressants will be prescribed. Paxil and other various antidepressants are available in the market.Research shows that certain antidepressants may be linked to problems in newborns such as physical malformations, heart problems, pulmonary hypertension and low birth weight. The US Food and Drug Administration recently announced that early research studies on Paxil suggest that drug intake during the 1^st trimester of pregnancy may increase a woman’s risk of having a baby with birth defects, heart defects in particular. Health advisories were also released by the FDA warning pregnant women and those planning to get pregnant on the use of Paxil.

It is not impossible for pregnant women to be depressed during the 9-month period of pregnancy. However, treatment options are available to properly manage the condition.It is important to talk to an obstetrician and mental health care provider in order to determine the appropriate action to take that will benefit both the mother and the baby. Side effects of antidepressants, like the Paxil birth defects should also be discussed.