Depression During Pregnancy
Saturday, October 15th, 2011Pregnancy is regarded as a time of great joy for most women. Between 14-23% of pregnant women, as reported by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or ACOG, will manifest symptoms of depression during the 3 trimesters. Depression during pregnancy or antepartum depression, is a mood disorder that has similar symptoms and management as the clinical depression. Support groups, psychotherapy and antidepressants like Paxil are used to address antepartum depression. However, there is a lot of debate over the safety and long-term effects of antidepressant medications taken during pregnancy. If antidepressants such as Paxil harm the baby and the mother, complaints against the manufacturer may be filed without having the mother disclose medical records.
Most women see the symptoms of antepartum depression as temporary moodiness that often accompanies pregnancy, leaving depression undiagnosed.A woman who is depressed feels sad or “blue” that last for 2 weeks or longer. Symptoms like lack of interest, trouble sleeping, loss of energy, weight loss or gain not related to pregnancy, restlessness, thoughts or ideas about suicide may also be present.
It is important to treat depression after it is diagnosed. If it remains untreated, it poses dangerous risks to both the mother and the baby. Mothers may go into drinking, smoking, suicidal tendencies and may have poor nutrition which may cause premature birth, low birth weight and developmental problems on the baby. Support groups, private psychotherapy and medications are among the treatment options available for depression. Support groups and private psychotherapy are both talk therapies that involves talking to a mental health professional to learn to change how depression makes one think, feel, and act.
Antidepressants may be prescribed if psychotherapy alone cannot manage depression. Paxil and other various antidepressants are available in the market. According to research, certain antidepressants may be linked to some birth defects like physical malformations, heart problems, pulmonary hypertension and low birth weight. The US Food and Drug Administration recently announced that early research studies on Paxil suggest that drug intake during the 1st trimester of pregnancy may increase a woman’s risk of having a baby with birth defects, heart defects in particular. FDA has also released health advisories regarding the use of Paxil in women who are pregnant or are planning to be pregnant.
Pregnant women may be depressed in any period during pregnancy. However, treatment options are available to properly manage the condition. Pregnant women, her obstetrician and mental health care provider need to collaborate and come up with a treatment modality that will give the most benefit to the baby and the mother. Side effects of antidepressants, like the Paxil birth defects should also be discussed.