Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy should closely consider their treatment options for depression in light of the limited reproductive safety information available, says a new report published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). The report , featured in a recent post on Brain Blogger, evaluates and summarizes the risks associated with depression and antidepressant use during pregnancy, and offers guidelines to help patients make decisions about their treatment.

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Years ago, it was thought that pregnancy protected women from depression, but researchers have since learned that being pregnant and recent childbirth may actually contribute to a woman’s depression, filling her with a range of emotions that make dealing with the symptoms of the condition even more difficult. According to the Mayo Clinic, an estimated 10 percent of women experience depression during pregnancy.

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Washington, DC — The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of depression during pregnancy should be individualized based on their respective risks and benefits, according to a new Committee Opinion issued by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) Committee on Obstetric Practice. The Committee also advised that a particular SSRI medication known as paroxetine (Paxil®) be avoided, when possible, by pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant due to the potential risk of fetal heart defects, newborn persistent pulmonary hypertension, and other negative effects.

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