A study has found that antidepressants during pregnancy may not be worth the benefits they bring. Mental health struggles don't care who you are. They don't care if you are a child, a senior, or if you are pregnant. They can impact everyone, and they impact in different ways. Women who are pregnant may be struggling with mental health struggles that are geared toward prenatal struggles.
They also could be dealing with some anxiety about the idea of becoming a mom, and what that means. They can feel overwhelmed, and this can have an impact on their mental health. While they seek out medical advice, some of this advice may be to take antidepressants while they are pregnant.
There are antidepressants that are deemed "safe" for pregnancy, but studies are always being done to verify the safety of medications when pregnant. According to Virtue Baby, a study has found that antidepressants during pregnancy may be riskier than we originally had thought.
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This study was done by the University of Montreal, and published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, and it can be read in full here. It suggests that drugs like Paroxetine (Paxil in the US), may pose the risk of birth defects in the child.
This medication was previously deemed safe to take in pregnancy, but this study may have couples thinking harder if the benefits outweigh the risk of this medication. These medications are in the same family, known as SSRIs, which are commonly used for treating depression. They change the balance of serotonin, and it helps the brain send messages to boost the mood of a person.
Experts are now stating that this medication should not be given to pregnant women, as the risk remains too high for their comfort.
This may encourage women who are expecting to talk to their provider about what alternatives there are for them when it comes to managing their mental health. Maybe they could speak to a professional, join a support group or find a medication that is a bit safer to take when pregnant. In fact, experts are stating that women should seek out psychotherapy for treating depression and/or anxiety when pregnant in replacement of all medications.
Pregnant women know their bodies the best, and they should be speaking to their providers if they are struggling in any way. There are ways to get help that don't involve medication, but that will always be a choice made by a woman and her doctor.
Sources: Virtue Baby, BMJ Open