| Most people believe that pregnancy is perhaps one of | | | | benefits and risks associated in their recommended |
| the happiest days of every woman's life. Contrary to | | | | treatment, particularly the medications. |
| this, not all future mothers are ecstatic or joyous during | | | | Risks in using antidepressant medications on |
| their pregnancy. In fact, many women suffer from | | | | pregnancy |
| minor to serious cases of depression while they are | | | | Despite the notable side effects associated on the use |
| pregnant. | | | | of prescription drugs, women are not really prohibited |
| During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in a | | | | on using antidepressant medications during pregnancy. |
| woman's body. Pregnancy hormones make women | | | | Studies on the benefits and risks of these medications |
| more susceptible to anxiety and depression problems. | | | | help people in choosing which prescription drugs work |
| As sudden feelings of sadness and low moods are | | | | best. Clinical evidences also guide pregnant women |
| generally regarded as expectable effects of | | | | which medications are safer to use and which ones |
| pregnancy, women tend to ignore such signs, without | | | | should be avoided. |
| knowing that they are probably suffering from | | | | The following are three common types of |
| depression. | | | | antidepressant medications that pregnant women |
| For such reason, doctors always remind pregnant | | | | should avoid: |
| women to observe their mood swings in order to | | | | 1. Paxil |
| determine if they are already showing symptoms of | | | | Paxil is one type of antidepressant drug that is |
| depression. It is also frequently advised to pregnant | | | | associated with fetal heart defects once taken during |
| mothers to update their doctors on the times they feel | | | | the first few months of pregnancy. Medical experts do |
| unnaturally low or sad, for mental and emotional health | | | | not recommend the intake of Paxil medication to |
| are very essential in pregnancy. | | | | pregnant women. As for the risks on the baby, |
| Antidepressant medications in pregnancy | | | | continuous intake of SSRI antidepressants may result |
| Treatments for depression that are commonly | | | | to temporary withdrawal symptoms such as sleep |
| recommended to pregnant women are psychotherapy | | | | disturbances and gastrointestinal complications. |
| and prescription drugs. For mild or non-severe cases | | | | 2. Tricyclic antidepressants |
| of depression, medical experts only recommend | | | | Tricyclic antidepressants are the older classifications of |
| therapy sessions as treatment. | | | | antidepressants. Pregnant women are discouraged to |
| Medications, on the other hand, are advised to severe | | | | use these types of medications, for these may pose |
| cases of depression. These antidepressant | | | | higher risk for unborn babies to have physical |
| medications are the ones prescribed by doctors as | | | | deformities. |
| therapy drugs to use during pregnancy. Despite the | | | | 3. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors |
| efficiency of medications as treatment for serious | | | | When pregnant women take antidepressant |
| cases of depression among pregnant women, some | | | | medications like Celexa and Prozac, their unborn |
| people are still reluctant to adhere in drug treatments | | | | babies are more susceptible to develop serious lung |
| for a number of safety issues. | | | | complications. Despite such possible side effect on |
| Depression treatments for pregnant women are more | | | | pregnancy, serotonin reuptake inhibitors medications |
| carefully considered by doctors for these involve two | | | | are proven to be effective drug therapy for |
| patients: the mother and the baby. In consultations, | | | | depression. |
| doctors should let the future mothers know the | | | | |