Pregnant woman and women who are trying to get pregnant are routinely prescribed prenatal vitamins containing at least 1,000 milligrams of folic acid as a way to improve the health of the unborn child. In the mid-1990s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took the effort one step further, requiring that folic acid be added to breads, cereals, flours, corn meals, pastas, rice and other grain products. Researchers say that move likely contributed to the 26 percent drop in neural tube defects, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now they say folic acid also may be tied into the six percent drop in heart defects each year after folic acid was added to grain supplies, researchers say.

While congenital heart defects are rare, such news is encouraging. “If you can reduce such a significant abnormality by doing something as simple as a public health intervention by increasing folic acid in the grain supply and encouraging individuals to take folic acid supplementation, it’s a win-win situation,” said Dr. Diane M. Ashton, deputy medical director of the March of Dimes.

Besides consuming a folic acid supplement or consuming foods high in folic acid, another step a woman can take to improve her chances of having a healthy baby is to discuss with her doctors any medications she is taking. Some drugs, such as SSRI antidepressants like Paxil, have been linked to a an increased risk of overall birth defects, and specifically heart defects.

SOURCE: Paxil and Pregnancy › Folic acid may help reduce risk of heart defects in newborns

One of the most important is to see your health care provider before getting pregnant so that she can evaluate your health and identify any health or lifestyle risks that may affect your pregnancy.

Your doctor will discuss various subjects with you. Here is what the March of Dimes says you can expect during your pre-pregnancy checkup:

1. Family History. A family history includes medical information about you, your partner and your families. If any of you have had birth defects or disorders, you may need to see a genetic counselor to asses any potential risks.

2. Medical Conditions. Some medical conditions, such as epilepsy, diabetes or high blood pressure may require you have special care during pregnancy.

3. Medications. If you take medications to treat any existing conditions, your provider may ask you to change to a drug that’s safer during pregnancy. Some medications taken during pregnancy, such as antidepressants, have been found to cause birth defects in babies.

4. Vaccinations. Chickenpox or rubella (German measles) during pregnancy can harm your baby. Your doctor will encourage you to be up-to-date on your immunizations. If you do not know if you are immune to a disease, your doctor can schedule a blood test to find out. If you need a shot, wait at lest one month after the shot before trying to conceive.

SOURCE: Paxil and Pregnancy › Pre-pregnancy checklist for women considering pregnancy

According to Women’s Health, changing hormones throughout a woman’s life can trigger depression, including times such as puberty, during and after pregnancy, and during perimenopause. Some women also experience depressive symptoms right before their period. Women with a personal or family history of depression are more prone to suffer from postpartum depression.

It is identified by symptoms such as trouble sleeping, lack of interest, feelings of guilt, loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite, restlessness or slowed movement, and thoughts or ideas about suicide. It also can begin at any time within the first three months after delivery. And it can seriously threaten both the woman and her baby, which is why women who think they are experiencing postpartum depression, or individuals who are concerned about a loved one, should seek medical attention immediately.

Postpartum depression can be treated through support groups, counseling sessions with a mental health professionals and even antidepressants from a group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The most common ones are Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa and Prozac. A woman should discuss with her doctor if she plans to breastfeed while taking medication as many antidepressants can get into her breast milk and may cause problems for the baby.

She will want to discuss going off the medication before getting pregnant again, as some antidepressants, such as Paxil, have been linked to serious birth defects in babies whose mothers took the medication during pregnancy.

SOURCE: Paxil and Pregnancy › Postpartum depression puts mother, baby at risk