Psych Meds May Increase Risk of Premature Delivery
Women with a history of depression who used psychiatric medications had triple the risk of giving birth to a premature baby, according to a study in the September/October issue of Women's Health Issues.
Amelia Gavin and her team at the University of Washington, University of Michigan and Michigan State University, found that a combination of medication use and depression - either before or during pregnancy - were strongly associated with delivery before the 35th week of pregnancy.
The researchers also found that, without medication use, elevated levels of depression symptoms at midpregnancy and history of depression did not pose the same increased risk of preterm delivery.
At this point it is not clear, however, whether the medications are the direct cause of preterm delivery or whether medication use is simply an indicator of the severity of the mother's depression, which in itself could be a factor in pre-term delivery, said co-author Kristine Siefert.
According to lead author Amelia Gavin, the findings highlight a need for carefully planned studies to sort out the true associations between depression, psychiatric medication and preterm delivery.
"Women with depression face difficult decisions regarding the benefits and risks of using psychotropic medications in pregnancy," said Gavin. "Therefore, a focus on disentangling medication effects and depression effects on mother and offspring health should be a major clinical priority."
I discontinued antidepressants in my second trimester during my first pregnancy. My daughter was born on her due date. During my second pregnancy, however, I started antidepressants in my 3rd trimester. My son was born 2 weeks early and even though he was considered technically full term, his skin was a lot more like a preemie than they anticipated.
I don’t know if it was related to my medication or not, but I know the benefits outweighed the risks and the outcome was good.
I discontinued my antidepressant (Paxil) a couple of weeks into my first pregnancy on the advice of my physician..she said my hormones would “carry me through the pregnancy” and she was actually right. I had a c-section on my due date, delivering a beautiful 8lb 9oz boy.
My next pregnancy was not a planned one and I was on Zoloft…I was in the midst of a very depressed time and so I decided to continue on a low dose of the Zoloft throughout the pregnancy. I went into labour and delivered an 8lb 12oz baby girl exactly 3 weeks early. She was delivered by c-section as well and was in the neonatal unit for 10 days as a result of a blood incompatibility. She is now a beautiful, healthy, intelligent 7 yr old. On a side note…I always find it interesting that my son (for which I did not take an antidepressant during pregnancy) is “moody” and my daughter (I did take an antidepressant during pregnancy) has an exceptionally pleasant disposition! ….They are both wonderful children and very smart and beautiful….we feel so blessed to have them.
ps., After taking antidepressants for 10 yrs I am now medication free for 2 yrs. Antidepressants help so much when they are needed but they can become a crutch as well…I know that I may need them again in the future but for now I am dealing with the lows using exercise and other lifestyle changes.
I was not on antidepressants when I had my son, now 11. I was diagnosed and started treatment (meds and counseling) when he was 2. I was taking Paxil when I became pregnant with my daughter, now almost 7. We discussed it with my doctor, and because of my history of depression since age 13, decided to continue the meds through my pregnancy. Both my kids were induced at or after their due dates. They are both healthy.
I really think you have to weigh the benefits of how you function with meds vs without, how serious your depression is, and your Dr’s opinion when making this decision. I was much better able to deal with the highs and lows of life with the meds, that it was not a hard deicison for me.
However, it is sobering to see the ads on TV calling for clients for a class action lawsuit related to taking Paxil during pregnancy.