Health & Medical Medicine

Birth Defects May Take Place In Babies Born To Women Taking Antidepressant Medications

Congenital anomalies may be one of those that a parent would pray not to happen to his/her child This could be painful especially to the mother who carried the child in her womb for 9 months so. This situation might lead some women to experience post-partum depression. Fact is, women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and circumstances such as birth defects may even predispose the woman to the condition. Women who are depressed prior to pregnancy are more at risk and these birth defects may happen to their babies due to the antidepressants that they should take.

The Pregnant Woman and Depression
Being pregnant has been considered as a joy to be in, but not for others. One out of every 10 women suffers from depression. With quite a number of factors to consider, the pregnant woman is at a very fragile stage of her life. One might think, what can cause a woman to be depressed? Some of these factors can contribute to the condition.

€ History of Depression
A woman's underlying condition may be exacerbated with pregnancy. {Others who've had minor manifestations of depression may feel that that it could worsen during and after the pregnancy.

€ Hormonal Changes
Pregnant women were believed to be protected by pregnancy hormones in the past. Experts only suggested that women are susceptible to depression only after giving birth where pregnancy hormones are at low levels. However, it has been noted that the rise of hormones during the time of pregnancy can disrupt the chemical balance in the brain which can cause depression.

€ Stress
Stress is good if it is in small doses as it can increase focus and awareness. However, when at an alarming degree, it can disrupt function. Pregnancy is a time where a woman should be cautious and the added stress is something that one can live without. Studies have also shown that stress is a factor when it comes to mental disorders which includes depression.

Antidepressants are usually the first line of defense for depression but physicians are now being careful because it has been linked to the development of birth defects when taken during pregnancy. As these Zoloft and pregnancy studies show, expecting mothers who take sertraline may well be inserting their child's health in danger. Fact is, women are more likely diagnosed with depression and circumstances such as birth defects may even predispose the woman to the condition. Make certain to talk together with your doctor if you're taking Zoloft and are pregnant or conceive to become pregnant. SSRI's in general have been under study and a connection between birth defects has been established. Zoloft birth defects can be cited as examples as Zoloft belongs to the SSRI drug class.




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