Antidepressants

A Decision for Mothers

TO THE EDITOR:

Re “Pills May Put Babies at Risk” (The Consumer, Sept. 2): Every decision that a pregnant woman makes has an inherent risk to her newborn. As a psychiatrist, when a pregnant woman comes into the office and engages in an active dialogue about the risks and benefits of continuing their S.S.R.I.s, the scenario reflects that there is no easy, black or white answer to this question. Indeed, there are studies that indicate the potential complications and risks of use of S.S.R.I.s on prenatal development.

At the same time, many women also remember the despair of their depressive or anxiety episodes and how they came to initiate medications such as S.S.R.I.s for the treatment of their symptoms, which improved their functioning and in some instances kept them safe from their suicidal ideations. The decision to continue or discontinue S.S.R.I.s during pregnancy should be a collective one made by the mother-to-be and her provider, and should be one where all risks and benefits are thoughtfully considered.

Let’s not allow the opinion of one physician to prevent mothers-to-be from seeking out a potentially lifesaving treatment.

Annie S. Li, M.D.

Portland, Me.

For all those women freaking out: I was on Prozac most of my pregnancy, and my son doesn’t have autism or congenital defects, and he spoke early. He just aced his college entrance exams. I am more worried about the hideous depression I suffered through during my first trimester, without Prozac. Could a constant bath of cortisol in utero be the reason he gets anxiety? But then, mood disorders also run in our family.