A recent study, however, seems to show that a group of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are safe to take in pregnancy, in so much as they do not appear to have any fatal consequences for the unborn baby.
The study showed that there appeared to be no link between the use of SSRIs in pregnancy and stillbirth or the death of newborn babies. Carried out by the University Hospital in Stockholm, the researchers said that whilst this marks an important piece of knowledge when protecting the wellbeing of depressed pregnant women, they urge caution.
Published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, the researchers said that decisions about prescribing SSRIs to pregnant women should still be taken with extreme caution and taking into account all other factors.
Some studies seemed to show that there may be a link between antidepressants and congenital defects, blood pressure problems in children and other difficulties, and for this reason, antidepressants are usually reserved for the most serious cases of depression in pregnant women. Depression itself can be a risk factor in other problems, however, such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Antidepressants are typically reserved for major depression in pregnancy because of concerns in some prior studies suggesting links to congenital defects, spontaneous abortion, neonatal withdrawal syndrome, and persistent pulmonary hypertension in the baby.
However, maternal depression is also associated with risks in pregnancy, including infant mortality and, especially, sudden infant death syndrome and so the emotional wellbeing of the mother should be taken as a serious consideration.