The Detrimental Impacts of Depression in Pregnancy

 

A long-standing and common misconception indicates that increased female hormones in pregnancy foster healthy emotional well-being in women that may have protected them from various mental disorders, medical experts say.  However, a growing body of evidence underscores its prevalence in childbearing women, with government statistics reports showing that one out of five expecting mothers in the United States endure symptoms of depression, with about 4.5 percent women in gestation taking antidepressants.  While antidepressants have been seen effective in some patients, certain adverse effects have also been reported to occur in pregnant women and their babies reportedly instigating legal action from some parents throughout the country.  In fact, children born with birth defects had parents filing Zoloft lawsuits in St. Clair County, Illinois.

 

While the risks associated with antidepressants may potentially pose great dangers to unborn children, depression in mothers may also not be left untreated, especially when it requires medication, mental health experts say.  As a debilitating mental condition, depression may intervene with a woman's ability to take care of herself during pregnancy and may increase her tendency to use illicit substances, alcohol, and tobacco, which in turn may lead to poor nutrition, and pregnancy complications including prolonged or premature labor, and low birth weights. 

 

Pregnant women with history of depression may be especially more vulnerable to recurring depressive symptoms after giving birth, that may get in the way of a mother's ability to establish a supposedly natural bond with her growing baby. The stresses faced by a mother during gestation may also aggravate her current mental state, if not, increase her risk of a potential relapse. . 

 

Despite the absence of cure, overcoming the symptoms of depression is far from impossible, psychiatry experts say.  Pregnant women who may have mild to moderate symptoms may greatly benefit from a non-medicated approach involving psychological therapy, self-help methods, and support groups.  However, childbearing women previously diagnosed of depression, or with severe indications including suicidal thoughts, may be recommended to stay on their medication before life-threatening complications are incurred.  

 

It is essential for pregnant women to work a collaborative effort with their prescribing clinician in choosing a drug treatment, and in knowing which medications have good track records in pregnancy, according to medical experts.  Second-generation antidepressants such as Zoloft have been known to be relatively safe when ingested by pregnant women.  However, several studies which are featured at www.zoloftlawsuitcenter.net reveal findings that may have proven this notion otherwise.                   

 

Sources:

 

mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/DN00007

womensneuroscience.stanford.edu/wellness_clinic/Pregnancy.html

americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/depressionduringpregnancy.html