Studies: Antidepressants OK For Moms-To-Be

Research Finds Newborns Face Little Risk When Mothers Take Certain Drugs

(CBS/AP)  Newborns face little risk of birth defects from antidepressants taken by many women early in pregnancy, say the reassuring findings of the two biggest studies of this controversial link.

The research focuses on the class of drugs chosen most often for depression and anxiety, including the brands Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.

Paxil carries a warning of possible heart defects in newborns, and experts don't expect the new research to change that. However, they find the new studies comforting for women struggling with depression.

The possibility of birth defects from antidepressants has put doctors and patients in a tricky quandary. Birth defects obviously hurt newborns, but depressed mothers who can't give proper care also endanger their babies.

When Diana Morales found out she was pregnant again, she was thrilled... but anxious. On top of balancing marriage, career and motherhood, she was battling clinical depression. Morales was taking the anti-depressant Lexapro, one of a class of drugs that includes Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac.

"I knew that I wouldn't be well during my pregnancy if I didn't take my medication. And if I'm not well, then I really can't be the best mom," Morales told CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller.

Confusing matters, researchers have wondered if the concern about birth defects should extend beyond Paxil to this entire class of drugs, known as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. The two latest studies, appearing Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine, relieve some of that worry, say birth specialists.

"Yeah, there's a risk, but the risk overall is probably pretty small," said Dr. Susan Ramin, obstetrics chairman at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, who was familiar with the findings.

The two studies — one from the federal Centers for Disease Control and the other from Boston University — use more cases of birth defects than previous research to consider links between the abnormalities and SSRIs. The Boston University study was funded partly by the National Institutes of Health and Paxil maker GlaxoSmithKline PLC.

Together, the two studies looked at 19,471 newborns with birth defects and 9,952 without them. Then they considered what SSRIs the mothers in both groups took during the first three months of pregnancy and mapped the patterns of birth defects.

Neither study was able to tie SSRIs as a group to either heart defects or most other defects. That reassurance is especially welcome because depressed women fret even more than other mothers about the health of their newborns, said Dr. Stephan Quentzel, a psychiatrist who treats pregnant women at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

[michellem99-2009]

I am sorry THAT I am so poorly schooled but I lost my train of thot when my friend stepped in. I meant thank you for helpping me to understand better so that I am not so dumb as I want to know better. Thank for the care you give these vets who truly need it. They would not teach me anything as they was not set up to educate a multi like me. I do try to express my say. I hate my blindness as I miss so much. Please take care of our VETS. I always thank them when I meet them. I was taught this as a child and as an older lady still do. Best wishes and peace of Christ be with you alway.

[michellem99-2009]

Thank you for helping you for helpping our vets and some may be Mums. I know the govt wont step upto the plate in medical issues. My vet friend always thanks the staff at the VAMC here in Seattle. He is grateful for the care. Most are too poor to pay. I am grateful that Dad in Maine goes to the VAMC. The Vets earnt that care and its kind people like you that care. THANK YOU.

[michellem99-2009]

sorry about the multi posts the button should be easier to see but is not.I use a hand magnifier to read. So sorry.

[michellem99-2009]

sorry about the multi posts the button should be easier to see but is not.I use a hand magnifier to read. So sorry.

[michellem99-2009]

sorry about the multi posts the button should be easier to see but is not.I use a hand magnifier to read. So sorry.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[michellem99-2009]

Gebtle Postee, My room mate is a vet and does go to VAMC.They are good to you vets. BUT Bush won't give the VAMC money to care for our dear vets who need that care so that area I am p---ed and yet I don't know everything. I will step upto the plate when I am wrong. But the treatments are not there for us due being poor. And I think it not right to hurt others as they who bill high prices that it even hurts good drs. The poor that suffer depression can't get the help due to money. Not every drug works due to side effects. Yes.IT IS A PITY THEY YAK ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE which could help others. By the way my vet room mate is diabetic,has lung,heart issues,depression. He has had 4 heart attacks. We don't have any one. We have been together 24 yrs. He is the one that helpped me get computer so I can share.

[jetauma]

This is depressing. Maybe we can get some of that pot from the other news story today...you know, the house siezure? We'll all feel better, moms'll feel better, and babies'll be born hungry and ready.

[michellem99-2009]

I am 52. Yes. I get depressed and have for years.But I don't go whining to them Drs. My disabities are the reasons and sense I can't change that I have to live with it. I want to think not be druged up. I do get depressed over the fact I want what I can't have and never will. Yes they are greedy,so are the following Hospitals ,drug stores,businesses. The drs are too powerful and controling. I have known that for years. You have no idea the personal h3ll but I want to remain free. They listen to money and that talks.There are very few good drs. I don't believe in half of their studies. I am legally blind have epilsply,c/p hard of hearing and get depressed so there. Yes I was raised in foster homes where Foster Mums were depressed. So I try to be happy but pills are not the answer. Forgive me but I get depessed as seizures causes me to feel depressed after coming out of them. I was brought to be not to be sick by Mrs. Perfect.

[leidhold]

LET ME NOT EVEN READ THIS DUMB-AZZ ARTICLE, FIRST, AND I WILL COMMENT THIS:

YEAH, TAKE MORE TOXIC GOOP MEDICINE WHILE YOU ARE PREGNANT, TEN YEARS FROM NOW, THEY WILL BE SAYING, ANTIDEPRESSANTS CAUSED THIS CHIT AND THAT CHIT TO NEWBORNS BABIES.

STOP PUSHING TOXIC MEDICINE ON WOMAN!!!

OH YEAH, GIVE ME ABORTION MEDICINE TO INDUCE MY BEAUTIFUL BABY, THEN KILL/MAIM ME AND MY BABY, AND THEN EXCUSE YOURSELF SAYING THE PATIENT TOOK THE MEDICINE AND EXCEPTED THE PROCEDURE. IT IS THE PATIENTS FAULT....


STOP WITH THE DANGEROUR MEDICINES TO ALL WOMAN....

IT IS DANGEROUS!!!!

MEDICINES ARE DANGEROUS!!!


DOCTORS AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES WANT TO BANK MOENY IN THEIR ACCOUNTS!!!!


LEIDHOLD---ALWAYS MY OPINION...

JUST A WOMAN WHO IS SCORN AND HURT BY MEDICINES DR'S, AND PROCEDURES!! NOT TO MENTION MY BABY BEING DAMAGED DURING VACUUM DELIVERY 4X...


STOP ALL THE MEDICINES AND DANGEROUS PROCEDURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[michellem99-2009]

This is not a joking matter.If you think epilepsy meds are safe on a baby to be . Sorry. Some have to take meds. But drs go overboard. Greed. Sure they want healthy babies to go off to war WHEN they grow up. Drs, no longer tell it like it is as they think their patents knows it. I can see right thru the above story and I am just a layparson. If the dr won't be truthful with you then find another one. They are not God but they are controling and powerful. Maybe they need be lowered so they are not. Be careful. IF the are for you well they aren't for an unborn. They will damage the unborn. They can't know everything but money talks ..THAT ALL THAT MATTERS...WRONG..

[lwatts6]

Post-partum depression is REAL. If you're having a major depression during late pregnancy, there's at least one hospital in your city with a psychiatry department specializing in pre-natal meds. I skipped the "3 month wait list" by going in through the Emergency. They probably won't keep you - just give you expert advice. Am I ever glad I did! The psychiatrist immediately took me off MAO inhibitors another doctor had prescribed that had very high risks of birth defects. I never would have forgiven myself. Instead I had a healthy baby and experienced post-partum joy. Exercice, vitamins, support of course helps the blues. But after reading these comments, please pray you NEVER EVER experience what a true major depression is like.

[michellem99-2009]

Tou really think a baby will not be harmed by the medications she is taking during the carrying of the child is not playing with full of cards. I am sorry I don't agree. It is up to the Mum to be to ask her Dr. and that Dr. best not lie just to make her feel good.Oh the dr. is goog at that. They can't know the meds are safe a woman carrying a child. In the 70s I met a woman who has hands that are not right due meds her Mum took while carrying her.So don't say meds are safe for baby to be. I know differently.

[harp1963]

If I were a pregnant woman, I would find some other way to find peace and happiness than putting a drug in my body that alters brain chemistry. I don't care how safe the people who are making billions off of selling this stuff say it is. You've got one chance for nine months to ensure the immediate and future life long health of your child. This is nothing to experiment with.

Back when I was a teenager Accutane was all the rage for getting rid of acne. Twenty years later they are finding out it causes Crohn's disease and brittle bone disease in some people.

Doctors won't tell you anymore that exercise, eating right, getting a good nights sleep, and going to the church of your denomination weekly will help you more than popping a happy pill.

The more money they make, the more diagnosed problems people will continue to have. They gotta pill for everything. I wish they would invent a pill that destroys the love of money, then we could all have some peace in this world.

[processor2]

I actually agree with the liberals on this one.

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