Anti Depressants & Pregnancy

By Avis Favaro

An important Canadian study was published in January in the New England Journal of Medicine. It's a study that should reassure women suffering from depression that taking anti-depressant medications during pregnancy does NOT appear to affect the unborn child.

In recent months there have been several, conflicting studies, some of them suggesting that taking drugs like Prozac, could increase the chance of deformities and complications.

But this latest study, considered an important piece of research, seems to calm the fears of many women who suffer from depression and who need these medications.

Like most mothers Holly Leitch-Munnick has spent a lot of time worrying about her children. Even more so with 3 year old Katrina and 20-month old Michael. That's because during their pregnancies, she was taking Prozac to treat her depression.

"I was worried there would be a deformity, was worried there would be a mental problem with the child... that really worried me."

Holly said "I was worried there would be a deformity, was worried there would be a mental problem with the child... that really worried me", and that is why she enrolled in a Canadian study, looking at the effects of common anti-depressant drugs on the fetus.

After testing over 200 children, researchers say they found NO DIFFERENCES in children born to mothers who took either tricyclic anti-depressants, or Prozac.

Dr. Koren from Motherisk said the results concluded "no difference in their IQ, not in language development, not in various behavior tests; compared to controls, kids born to women who did not take any of these drugs."

"If I'd stayed off it, I would have been a basket case, totally OR with all that stress I think I would have lost the baby. Yes I think So."

Up to 20% of women suffer from depression, these women have had to make a tough decision during pregnancy. To take anti-depressants and possibly risk the health of their fetus, or to STOP all medications to protect their fetus, while risking their own health and even possible suicide attempts.

The new results suggest that women suffering from moderate or severe depression may not have to sacrifice their own health during pregnancy, in order to protect their unborn child.

The children in the study were followed until about age four. But even with that, researchers can't say for certain if these anti-depressants won't have a more subtle, long term effect on these children as they grow, which is why research is continuing. Although these anti-depressants appear safe, doctors are erring on the side of caution, asking women to take them only if really needed.

Holly's had four children, two before she went on Prozac and two after. When she compares their development, she is CONVINCED her medication hasn't harmed her two youngest.

"Anti Depressants & Pregnancy" courtesy Avis Favaro. This report was previously aired on CTV News January 22, 1997. Avis Favaro is a medical reporter for CTV News.