Antidepressants are often backed with harmful side effects which can have long-term complications. Though it may be ideal for some to take it, there are those that should avoid it at all cost, especially expecting mothers.
Pregnancy in general is a fragile process wherein a mother should be cautious with whatever goes inside her body. Taking medications should be done under the OBGYN’s watchful guidance as it can harm the growing fetus.
There are those that are caught in a battle as to whether they should continue with their antidepressant medication or put an end to it the moment they’d try to conceive. It is one of the toughest decisions an untreated depression can cause harm not only to the mother, but to the child as well according to Web Md.
Women who are struggling with depression may need to have their antidepressants to have their condition alleviated. According to research however, taking antidepressants during pregnancy can do more harm than good.
A report from Wall Street Journal explained the underlying risk of taking antidepressants during pregnancy. In a study involving more than 65,000 women, it was revealed that there is a strong correlation between mothers who took antidepressants during pregnancy and teenage depression.
It was noted that teenagers whose mothers took antidepressants during their pregnancy are “four times more likely to give birth to a child that would suffer from depression during the adolescent years.” The data was compared to pregnant mothers who also suffered from depression but didn’t take antidepressants compared to those who had teenagers with depression.
Aside from placing the child at risk for depression, it was also noted that pregnant mothers who took antidepressants are more prone having a child with autism. NCBI noted that antidepressants during pregnancy and its correlation to autism is still unclear as it is still subjected to further research.
“Use of antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, during the second and/or third trimester increases the risk of ASD in children,” The research wrote. “Even after considering maternal depression. Further research is needed to specifically assess the risk of ASD associated with antidepressant types and dosages during pregnancy.”
