A new study confirms that the birth weight and head circumferance measures of babies born to mothers on antidepressants is the same as those on no medications. This study is a part of the ongoing debate of the safety of these medications for pregnant or nursing mothers. No study yet answers the long term effect of medications in utero as they effect the developing brain, particularly the limbic system, where emotions are regulated.
We do know this. Babies of mothers who took medications look better at six months than those who don’t. In the unmedicated group the babies startled more easily and are slower to soothe. The mothers are to distraught to nurture properly. For this reason, and the new study above, pregnant women who need antidepressants are recommended to take them while pregnant. The cost benefit ratio simply works out in favor of active treatment. Psychotherapy is actually very helpful during this time, but in many woman, may not replace medications.
Protecting developing fetuses is a constant concern of medicine, but as the old saying goes, if momma’s not OK, nobody is OK!