Since beginning my own pregnancy journey, I’ve dabbled in the regular online groups, forums, chats, etc. about anything related to having a healthy pregnancy. Sometimes these places are extremely wonderful for having a support group and getting heartfelt advice. Other times it can be a battlefield when discussing controversial issues like circumcisions, vaccines, having a drink during your pregnancy, and other similarly tense subjects.
One subject that came about regularly was what medications were and were not safe to your growing fetus (yes that is the technical term; no it isn’t an insult). There were smaller over-the-counter drug questions like cold medicine. Then there were larger ones involving prescriptions, particularly anti-depressants.
Before going on, pregnancy itself is full of highs and lows. Each pregnancy is completely a different experience. For me, the first 13 weeks were the hardest both physically and emotionally. As I was reading these chats, many other women were also experiencing highs and lows more than likely associated with their changing bodies from hormones (lucky us!).
It finally came-up: a woman in her late 20s about half-way through her pregnancy admitted she was on anti-anxiety/anti-depressants. A whirlwind was set-off from others who followed suit saying they also were on them; curious questions from those who think they may want to talk to their doctor about them to women who were shaming the women on these medications because of the “harm” it may do to the offspring.
As we all know, I’m a huge advocate for having concrete evidence to support claims that anyone makes. Naturally, when this comes up I try to remind others that studies have been done to erase any doubt that women cannot be on these much needed and life-changing medications especially during such a sensitive time in their lives.
Most recently the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published studies in April of 2017 that state taking antidepressants during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Instead, genetic and environmental factors other than exposure to these prescriptions in utero are more likely determining factors in those disorders.
In fact, not treating depression during pregnancy comes with negative risks like poor fetal growth, poor development, and preterm birth according to these studies. “A mother’s mood disturbances during pregnancy are a big public health issue. They impact the health of mothers and their children,” says Tim Oberlander, a developmental pediatrician at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He also mentioned that all treatment options should be explored, even during pregnancy. Oberlander also coauthored a commentary in JAMA.
What I would like the take-home message to be from this, even for people who are not pregnant, is to take control of your mental health. Even if you are in a situation like pregnancy you need to always ask your health provider first. They are your body experts. I’m not quite sure where the distrust in medical professionals has come about or why people seem to rely on their friends and internet chat rooms to provide information, but most of the time they are incorrect. You could be missing out on critical health benefits and, in the case of pregnancy, it’s integral because untreated mental ailments have huge impacts in your life and those you love and care for.
JAMA articles:
1. H. Brown et al. Association between serotonergic antidepressant use during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder in children. JAMA. Vol. 317, April 18, 2017, p. 1544. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.3415.
2. A. Sujan et al. Associations for maternal antidepressant use during the first trimester of pregnancy with preterm birth, small for gestational age, autism spectrum disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in offspring. JAMA. Vol. 317, April 18, 2017, p. 1553. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.3413.
3. T. Oberlander and L. Zwaigenbaum. Disentangling maternal depression and antidepressant use during pregnancy as risks for autism in children. JAMA. Vol. 317, April 18, 2017, p. 1533. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.3414.
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