Antidepressants Increase Risk of Miscarriage
Many pregnant women experience depression at some point in their pregnancies. I am not referring to those short bouts of anxiety or sadness that comes and goes that many of us experience, but real clinical depression that warrants medication. It is estimated that up to 3.7 percent of women use antidepressants at some point during the first trimester, particularly among those women who have been suffering from clinical depression even prior to conception. In such cases, discontinuing treatment can result in a depressive relapse which can put mother and baby at risk.
However, a recent study reports that there is a 68 percent increase in the overall risk of miscarriage in pregnant women using antidepressants.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), especially paroxetine and also venlafaxine were associated with increased risk of miscarriage as were higher daily doses of either antidepressant. As well, a combination of different antidepressants doubled the risk of miscarriages.
If you require antidepressant therapy during your pregnancy, be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor.