When you’re pregnant, you may hear a number of warnings about things that you can and can’t eat and drink. For instance, you will likely need to cut back on alcohol and caffeine while pregnant. But what about prescription medication for mental health conditions?
Pregnancy can cause a major imbalance of hormones which can impact those who struggle with mental health disorders keenly. Having to go without your medication for a long period of time may be daunting; but as an expecting parent, you also don’t want to do anything that could be harmful for the child. So what do you do when you take prescription SSRIs and become pregnant?
When Are You Prescribed SSRIs?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed as a common antidepressant medication. They can also be used to treat anxiety. These medications help to balance serotonin in the brain, which tends to be in a shortage for those with depression and anxiety. Common SSRIs include:
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- fluvoxamine (Faverin or Luvox)
After a diagnosis of depression or anxiety, you will speak with a psychiatrist about whether or not medication would be helpful in addition to counseling or therapy. If you plan to change medication or go off your SSRI medication, always consult your psychiatrist beforehand.
Should You Take SSRIs During Pregnancy?
There are some risk factors involved with SSRIs — such as high blood pressure or premature birth — but these risks are minimal. It’s important to know that your prenatal care team carefully watches for these risks. They also work to minimize any interaction between the baby and the medication. It’s important to note that there are also significant risks to untreated anxiety and depression. Consider having a conversation about SSRIs with your provider when considering pregnancy or when finding out you are pregnant.
The Risk of Going Off SSRIs During Pregnancy
If there’s even a small risk, some expectant parents might worry that it’s not worth it and choose to go off of their SSRIs during pregnancy. However, when you have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, this decision could be incredibly dangerous. Quitting SSRIs cold turkey can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as rebound depression. This can be exacerbated by the hormonal changes you experience during pregnancy, worsening your depressive symptoms.
And depression itself — especially the strain of heavy depressive episodes during pregnancy — can come with risks such as premature birth, increased risk of postpartum depression, or problems after birth.
You should never, under any circumstance, quit your SSRIs without first discussing it with your psychiatrist. They can help you change medications or ease off of a current medication with as little withdrawal symptoms as possible.
Talk To Your Healthcare Team
Talk to your healthcare team about what medications are safe to take during pregnancy and what you should avoid. You should discuss this with your OB/GYN and then with your psychiatrist. If you take paroxetine, for instance, and your OB/GYN suggests taking something else, you can discuss switching medications or other alternatives with your psychiatrist.
You can also discuss any potential risks involved and how to mediate those risks with your healthcare team. Ultimately, everyone is different and every pregnancy is different. Your clinicians will know your unique health factors whereas an online search will not.
Have questions about taking care of your mental health while pregnant? Our team of skilled and compassionate clinicians are here to help. Contact Rivia Mind today to learn more or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Resources:
- Antidepressants: Safe During Pregnancy? – Mayo Clinic
