pregnant on prozac « Postpartum Depression Recovery: Dr. Shoshana Bennett

Posts Tagged ‘pregnant on prozac’

Danish research and SSRI use during pregnancy

Monday, October 5th, 2009

While the title itself raises eyebrows, the researchers themselves state that they were unable to conclude if the results were because of medication or the underlying depression. Also important to keep in mind is that this research is based on women who had prescriptions filled for SSRIs but does not appear to have checked to see if these women actually took the medication. Instead, they rely on data from a national registry. Read on…

Dr. Shosh Says…

Finally, treatment for the serious and potentially life-threatening illness of prenatal depression (for both mom and therefore baby) is being formally discussed. Fifteen percent of clinically depressed pregnant women try to take their lives – a bit more risky for the baby than mom taking an antidepressant, wouldn’t you say? If the pregnant woman can be non-depressed without a medication, that’s optimal. Some form(s) of treatment, however is essential. If natural and alternative approaches to wellness are not enough, it is regarded by those in the know to be safer for her (and her developing baby) to take an antidepressant than to remain depressed. Depression itself – it is quite clear from the research – crosses the placenta and alters the uterine environment causing negative consequences to the baby. In the latest research there appears to be low (0.9%) chance of a septal heart defect in babies whose mothers had taken certain antidepressants. However, what fear-mongers do not report, is that the researchers themselves could not be sure whether it’s the antidepressant or the underlying depression itself that caused the defect. Women need all relevant information and education about options for treatment during pregnancy so they can make the best decision for themselves and their family. Watch out for alarmists who are not interested in actual data – they are simply invested in promoting fear in women who are at their most vulnerable.

Tags: pregnant on prozac, prenatal depression, SSRI use in pregnancy
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Pregnant and Depressed

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

Depression accompanying pregnancy is a topic that receives less discussion than the well-documented postpartum depression.

Depression is not uncommon in pregnant women. Between 14 and 23 percent of pregnant women will experience a depressive episode while pregnant.

In 2003, approximately 13 percent of pregnant women took an antidepressant at some point during their pregnancy. According to background information in an article in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry, this rate has doubled since 1999. Many women go untreated due to concerns regarding the safety of treating pregnant women.

A variety of medical specialists collaborated on the report, “The management of depression during pregnancy: A report from the American Psychiatric Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.” Read on…

Note by Dr. Shosh:

This article accurately points out how prenatal depression can cause problems both for the mother and the growing baby. It is also true, as is stated here, that researchers are still not sure whether some of the problems with the newborns of pregnant women taking antidepressants are due to the medications or to the underlying depression. The data is not clear, since depression itself can cause these same issues, including preterm delivery.

Tags: pregnant on prozac, prenatal depression
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TAKING ANTIDEPRESSANTS IN PREGNANCY – A TOUGH CHOICE

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

For the first time ever, obstetricians and psychiatrists have issued joint guidelines for the treatment of women with depression who are pregnant and for those thinking about getting pregnant. I was stunned to learn that there were no specific guidelines to help women and their doctors before now.

I talked about these guidelines on Good Morning America and commented on World News as well. To summarize the detailed and comprehensive report: Experts believe that the risk of untreated depression to the health of the mother and baby are considerable and should be balanced against the risk of treatment with medications. They recommend that women with mild or controlled depression should try to wean off their medications before becoming pregnant. Psychotherapy such as talk therapy should always be used for women with depression and that this therapy may be enough for many women.

Pregnancy depression screening concern

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Researchers have sounded a note of caution about the government’s $80 million scheme to introduce routine screening for depression for all pregnant women.

Writing in the MJA (191: 276-79 ) today, researchers from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne warn that the screening tools are imperfect and there is a risk of focusing too much on providing interventions such as antidepressants and CBT rather than exploring broader psychosocial issues such as partner violence, co-morbid health problems and housing.

Response: This article promotes undue fear about screening pregnant and new moms. (The word “scheme” even appears in the title!) Pregnant and new moms should absolutely be routinely screened. As we already know, the probability of saving women and their families from unnecessary suffering far outweighs the possibility of a woman receiving help she doesn’t need. That being said, it is important that those conducting the screening are well trained so they can adequately assess the results of the screening. In addition, the practitioners receiving the referrals should be able to assess whether the woman is truly in need.

Shoshana Bennett, Ph.D.
Author, Postpartum Depression For Dummies and Pregnant on Prozac

Tags: depression, postpartum, pregnancy, pregnancy and medication, pregnant on prozac
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ABC News: Dealing with Postpartum Depression

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Dr. Melva Green discusses ways of dealing with postpartum depression

Watch Video

Response: Whether or not a pregnant woman should begin or continue the use of an antidepressant needs to be decided by her and her physician. The prescribing doctor should understand this specialized area of medicine well. There are many risks to the pregnant mother and her developing baby if she does not receive proper treatment. Depression is potentially dangerous during pregnancy for a number of reasons. One, if the mother goes untreated, she is at greater risk of neglecting her prenatal care. She may not eat properly or attend prenatal visits regularly, and she may be tempted to self-treat with alcohol, smoking, or other harmful substances. Two, depression causes preterm labor, and research is also beginning to indicate that depression in the pregnant mother can negatively impact the baby’s development. In addition, the mom is at high risk for developing postpartum depression. Whether she takes an antidepressant, uses alternative and natural treatments, or a combination of both, she should work with a psychotherapist who specializes in the field of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. One fact is clear – depression in pregnancy requires treatment or else she and her entire family can be negatively impacted – including those not yet born.

Shoshana Bennett, Ph.D.
Author, Postpartum Depression For Dummies and Pregnant on Prozac

Tags: depression, postpartum depression, pregnancy, pregnant and medication, pregnant on prozac
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What Is the Difference Between Grief & Depression After Pregnancy Loss?

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

After the loss of a baby, either due to miscarriage or stillbirth, what exactly is it that a mother goes through as she grapples with this devastating experience? Is it grief or is it postpartum depression? Could it be both?

Teen prenancy may be symptom, not cause of emotional distress

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American — It would make sense that teenage mothers have a lot of psychological stress in their lives, but a new study shows that the distress comes before the pregnancy, not because of it.

“Psychological distress does not appear to be caused by teen childbearing, nor does it cause teen childbearing, except possibly among girls from poor households,” said Stefanie Mollborn, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the Institute of Behavioral Science of the University of Colorado at Boulder.

National Academy Urges Changes in Screening and Treatment of Depression

Friday, September 18th, 2009

A National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report urging a more coordinated approach to prevention and treatment of depression in parents—because of its impact on children—hit the streets just as Congress began considering legislation to reform the US health insurance system. The NAS report made a number of recommendations for changing the approach of both public and private health insurers toward depression, although the front-line troops expected to deal with the problem are primary care physicians, who already treat 70% of patients with depression.

Coping with postpartum depression — for dads

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

For new dads, is there a male equivalent of PPD (aka postpartum depression)? There isn’t much research into the subject, but in talking to other counselors and therapists, I would estimate that rates of paternal depression range up to about 25 percent when there isn’t concurrent PPD in the female partner and as high as 50 percent among men whose partners are also experiencing postpartum depression. Rates are even higher in dads who work from home or stay at home, so it looks like there are a lot of sad SAHDs (Stay At Home Dads) out there. While men might not experience the hormonal changes that give rise to PPD, they do experience substantial life changes that can trigger depression.

Physicians issue guidelines on antidepressants and pregnancy

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

For the nearly 1 in 4 women who experience symptoms of depression during pregnancy, physicians on the front lines have long had little more than a prescription for antidepressants and a massive dose of uncertainty to offer.

The result: At last count, roughly 13 percent of pregnant U.S.
women took antidepressant medications at some point in their pregnancy — often with little to guide them in weighing the risks the drugs may pose to their baby against the misery and dangers of untreated depression.