Are Antidepressants (SSRIs) Safe for Pregnancy?

Are antidepressants safe during pregnancy? This is a common question in obstetricians’ offices these days, because women who suffer from depression are frequently treated with medication, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. There are many SSRI medications on the market, including Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, and Zoloft.
 
If a woman decides she wants to become pregnant, or if she does become pregnant, should she stop taking these antidepressants? Or what about the woman who doesn’t experience depression until she gets pregnant? Is it safe to treat her with an SSRI? There are no simple answers to these questions.
 
A few years ago, studies in Sweden and the U.S. both suggested that the use of Paxil during pregnancy showed an increased risk of congenital heart defects in the babies.
 
According to the Mayo Clinic, Paxil and Celexa have both been associated with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, anencephaly (the absence of part of the brain and skull), craniosynostosis (a birth defect that causes one or more sutures on a baby’s head to close earlier than they should), and omphalocele (a birth defect in which the baby’s intestines stick out of the belly button).
 
Other studies have found possible connections between SSRI use during pregnancy and an increased risk of miscarriage, and low birth weight; however, none of these studies are conclusive. None of the studies to date have sufficiently controlled for other factors, such as mother’s health and behavior.
 
Doctors and patients have to weigh the risks of treatment against the risks of depression. Besides the “risk of antidepressants,” there is another risk to consider – the risk of depression. If a woman is in danger of becoming suicidal, of not eating, or of self-medicating with drugs and/or alcohol, in comparison, the risk of an SSRI might be minimal.
 
If a woman decides she wants to conceive, and she does not suffer from serious depression, many doctors will suggest that she gradually wean herself off the prescription. However, if a woman is already pregnant, the situation becomes more complicated. And many doctors do prescribe antidepressants to women who experience depression due to pregnancy.
 
If you fall into any of these categories, please talk to your doctor about all of your options and all the possible scenarios. Be sure that your physician truly listens to your questions and addresses your needs.
 
If you are uncomfortable taking antidepressants during pregnancy, realize that there are other, non-medicinal ways to treat depression that you might not be aware of. These include: lifestyle change, aromatherapy, meditation, nutrition, acupuncture, acupressure, magnet therapy, music therapy, yoga, reflexology, exercise, counseling, and many others.