Medications called antidepressants can also be used to treat depression in pregnancy although you must consult with your health care provider before taking any antidepressant during pregnancy. Some antidepressants have been associated with risks of preterm labor or miscarriage and should not be taken during pregnancy. Two types of antidepressants have traditionally been used to treat depression during pregnancy: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), including Zoloft, and Celexa; and TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), including Pamelor, Tofranil, and Elavil.
However, recent studies have found that the use of SSRIs druing pregnancy can have serious health effects in newborns. In 2004, the FDA issued an alert for all SSRIs on the market, including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox and Celexa.
In 2006, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) found a link between SSRIs and an increased risk of fetal heart defects, as well as persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) in newborns. Other birth defects associated with SSRIs include respiratory problems, low muscle tone, body rigidity, irritability and trouble eating.
However, the ACOG stresses that depression that is left untreated can also have serious health consequences for pregnant women in addition to the ones listed above, including low weight gain and an increased risk of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which in turn can have negative effects on a newborn.
Pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant should always consult with their obstetrician and mental health specialist about their depression treatment and the effects of the anti-depression drugs they are taking on pregnancy.
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