We are becoming more aware of postpartum depression – depression that occurs in women after childbirth. However, we know very little about depression that occurs prior to childbirth, at various stages of a woman’s pregnancy. Reuters reported on a study that looks at antenatal depression, and the importance of addressing this type of depression. I’ve [...]
Pregnancy & Postpartum
I have been getting questions and comments from visitors concerned about the effects of antidepressants and psychotropic medications on pregnancy. Thus, I’ve been keeping a watchful eye on new research information published on this concern. In the August 2007 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry was a medical education article called, “Antenatal Depression: Navigating [...]
Pregnant mothers who have depression or are at the risk of depression are often concerned about the effects of antidepressants on their developing babies. A study published in late June (full abstract is included below) suggested that risks of 3 types of birth defects – craniosynostosis, omphalocele, or heart defects – were not significantly increased [...]
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert about Lamictal (lamotrigine) that suggests that babies exposed to the drug during the first trimester in pregnancy may have a higher chance of being born with a cleft lift or cleft palate. Additional research is needed to establish further evidence of this observation and this [...]
I’m currently reviewing Dr. Ruta Nonac’s A Deeper Shade of Blue, “a woman’s guide to recognizing and treating depression in her childbearing years.” Early in the book, within the first chapter, Dr. Nonac’s made these important points about seeking depression treatment and about postpartum depression: People who suffer from depression often are “discouraged” from seeking [...]
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a Public Health Advisory on treating depression in pregnant women, because doctors and moms-to-be have to weigh the risks and benefits of antidepressants during pregnancy. A risk of stopping antidepressants for a patient suffering from depression and taking depression medication is that the patient may experience a relapse. [...]
