Antidepressants in pregnancy

Mood disorders affect twice as many women as men and often emerge during women's childbearing years. Depression is not uncommon during pregnancy and symptoms may occur more frequently during pregnancy than in the postnatal period. Antenatal depression has been associated with low maternal weight gain and increased use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. However, a number of studies have shown that using antidepressants during pregnancy can lead to premature births. A study of 90 women in California has found that women taking antidepressants were more likely to have babies at a lower gestational age, had higher rates of pre-term birth and were more likely to have their babies admitted to a special care unit than women who were depressed but not taking medication.

Suri, Rita ... [et al] - Effects of antenatal depressant treatment on gestational age at birth and risk of preterm birth American Journal of Psychiatry 2007 164: 1206-1213