Taking antidepressants during pregnancy can be risky for your baby. But stopping your medication can also be risky for your health. Antidepressant medication is very important for most people with depression. They will reduce symptoms and make you feel better. But what should you do if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant? Let’s look at the answer to these.How does depression affect pregnancy?
Although it is said that pregnancy hormones protect women from depression, researchers argue that this is not true. In fact, 10% of women develop depression during pregnancy. Although pregnancy does not make depression worse, emotional changes can cause distress.
Can antidepressant medication be used during pregnancy?
A few antidepressant drugs are safe during pregnancy. No association has been found between their use and congenital defects or developmental delay in the baby. After birth, the baby may have withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, gastrointestinal problems, sleep disorders and high-pitched crying. However, research is still ongoing and the use of medication will need to be carefully decided based on the benefit/harm ratio.
What happens if antidepressants are not taken during pregnancy?
If you stop your antidepressant medication when you become pregnant, your depression may recur. You are 5 times more likely to develop depression than a pregnant woman who continues taking her medication. In addition, stopping antidepressant medication suddenly can cause complaints such as headache, nausea and vomiting, tremors, dizziness, weakness, insomnia and hypersensitivity.
What to do?
If you have depression and are pregnant or want to become pregnant, consult your doctor. Sometimes mild cases can improve without medication and with supportive methods and talking therapies. However, if the condition is more serious or there is a history of depression, medication will be necessary. Of course, making this decision will not be easy. You and your doctor will need to decide what is best for you and your baby.
