A 31-year-old member asked:
Will my depression have adverse effects on my baby?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
32 years experience
Yes: It is possible. Many of the medications used to treat pregnancy have a rare but serious side effect in the baby called primary pulmonary hypertension and increased neonatal jitteriness. If being off your meds means your depression worsens and you are not eating properly that could affect the baby's growth.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
Dr. Armand Braun commented
Psychiatry 41 years experience
There is some evidence (besides those mentioned) that experiencing significant depression during pregnancy may biologically set up hard wiring in the fetus to experience greater depression and anxiety in their lives. Also if the mothers depression continues into the infants first 1 year of life that in itself can have negative hard wiring on the infant- depression and anxiety.
Oct 12, 2013
Dr. Carla Enriquezanswered
Pediatrics 52 years experience
Maybe, untreated : Safety during pregnancy is a matter for discussion between patient, high risk obstetrician & doctor who prescribes the meds. Risk to mom of not treating must be weighed against the benefit of treating with risk to baby. Not treating may increase risk or worsening depression, miscarriage, prematurity, or postpartum depression. Risk to baby is a rarely occurring neonatal pulmonary hypertension.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 14, 2014
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