MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Antidepressants and Risk of Spontaneous Abortion

Although the last several decades of research have yielded important findings regarding the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy, some areas are still understudied. For example, there are no conclusive results concerning the risk of spontaneous abortions following antidepressant exposure during the first trimester. Several recent meta-analyses, including one from the Motherisk program (Hemels, 2005), have observed an increased risk of spontaneous abortion among women taking antidepressants.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:45:03-04:00June 21st, 2010|Antidepressants, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off

Valproic Acid and the Risk of Major Malformations

Previous studies have indicated that infants exposed to valproic acid in pregnancy are at increased risk for a range of malformations, including neural tube defects. While these studies have shown an association between valproic acid and various malformations, they have been limited in their ability to quantify the risk of certain, less common malformations. To do this, large population-based case–control studies are more appropriate.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:43:09-04:00June 14th, 2010|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Mood Stabilizers, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

Men Get Postpartum Depression Too

While postpartum depression (PPD) is typically considered to be a woman’s illness, a number of studies have suggested that, although men do not experience any of the dramatic physiologic or hormonal changes that go along with pregnancy, new fathers may also suffer from PPD. The most recent study was a meta-analysis published in the May 19th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-11-26T08:40:58-04:00June 7th, 2010|Breastfeeding & Medications, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Lithium and Breastfeeding

Bipolar disorder (types I and II) affect up to 5% of the population in the United States. As the onset of this condition typically occurs during or before the reproductive years, the management of bipolar disorder in women is often complicated by pregnancy. There are concerns regarding fetal exposure to medication, the impact of untreated maternal illness, and data demonstrating that women are at increased risk for relapse during the postpartum period.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:57-04:00May 12th, 2010|Breastfeeding & Medications, Mood Stabilizers, Outcomes|Comments Off

New Oral Contraceptive Approved

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a combination oral contraceptive (OC) tablet called Natazia (Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals). It is a bit different from other OC preparations in that it contains 4 progestin/estrogen dosing combinations during each 28-day cycle (instead of being monophasic or triphasic), and it contains estradiol valerate (instead of ethinyl estradiol).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:36:46-04:00May 12th, 2010|Contraception, General|Comments Off

When Health Care Providers Say the Wrong Thing

With increasing frequency, postpartum women who have taken antidepressants during pregnancy have shared – usually in tears – that while in the hospital for their labor and delivery hospitalization, a health care provider at the hospital said something judgmental about their being on an antidepressant. For example, one woman said that a nurse told her, “I can’t believe you took that during pregnancy.” Or, “Don’t you know how risky that is?!” Or “How could you do that to your baby?” This is often in the context of women using other medications in parallel for non-psychiatric indications, of which less may be known about the reproductive safety profile, but not addressed by the health care provider.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:30:09-04:00April 14th, 2010|Contraception, General|Comments Off

MOTHERS Act Becomes Law

As part of the landmark health insurance reform bill that passed Congress on Monday, the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act – legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) – will become law. The legislation will establish a comprehensive federal commitment to combating postpartum depression through new research, education initiatives and voluntarily support service programs. The legislation is designed to:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:28:04-04:00March 29th, 2010|Advocacy, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Fenugreek and Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has been associated with multiple medical and psychological benefits. Women with a strong desire to breastfeed, but with a limited milk supply, are often interested in potential ways to augment their milk production.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:27:11-04:00March 29th, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, Breastfeeding & Medications|Comments Off

Diet and Nutrition May Influence Risk for Depression

There has been a long held belief that diet may influence well-being. The phrase “you are what you eat” suggests that nutrition has an impact on physical as well as mental health. Until recently, however, there have been few studies that provide data to support this idea.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:25:39-04:00March 18th, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, General, Prevention|Comments Off

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Depression During Pregnancy

Depression during pregnancy is relatively common, affecting about 10 to 15% of women. While there is a growing body of literature supporting the reproductive safety of certain antidepressants, many women and their physicians would prefer to avoid the use of these medications during pregnancy; thus, there is a clear need for effective non-pharmacologic treatments for women who suffer from depression during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T16:16:02-04:00February 23rd, 2010|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

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