Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Relapse of Bipolar Disorder During Pregnancy Increases Risk of Postpartum Illness

More that half of women with bipolar disorder relapsed during pregnancy.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-04-14T16:08:04-04:00April 27th, 2022|Bipolar Disorder, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Essential Reads: The Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR)

The PLLR helps to put the potential effects of the drug into perspective with the goal of providing a more individualized risk-benefit analysis.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2022-07-14T19:36:09-04:00April 21st, 2022|Breastfeeding & Medications, Essential Reads|Comments Off

Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children Exposed to Antipsychotic Medications During Pregnancy

Prenatal exposure to antipsychotic medications was not associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-04-14T16:15:33-04:00April 5th, 2022|Antipsychotic Medications, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Weekly Roundup for APRIL 1, 2022: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health

Every week we review the most recent publications in women’s mental health.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2022-07-14T19:36:51-04:00April 3rd, 2022|Weekly Roundup|Comments Off

Knowns and Unknowns About SSRI Use During Pregnancy in 2022

Dr. Lee S. Cohen, Director of the Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women's Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, recently shared his insights on clinical issues regarding prescribing antidepressants during pregnancy with Ob.Gyn News on March 23, [...]

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2022-07-14T19:37:23-04:00March 24th, 2022|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Lower Risk of Self-Harm During Pregnancy, Except in Younger Women

Lower risk for self-harm was observed during pregnancy, except in women aged 15 to 19 years.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-03-23T16:50:43-04:00March 15th, 2022|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Essential Reads: The Use of Trazodone During Pregnancy

More study is needed regarding the safety of sedative-hypnotic medications during pregnancy.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-12-11T09:43:13-04:00February 16th, 2022|Antidepressants, Essential Reads, Pregnancy & Medications, Sleep Medications|Comments Off

Reassuring News: Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Two-Year Olds with Prenatal Exposure to Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

These findings are encouraging and suggest that the newer AEDs, specifically lamotrigine and levetiracetam, are not associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2025-06-26T09:06:51-04:00February 9th, 2022|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Essential Reads: Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children with Prenatal Exposure to Antidepressants

While questions and controversies remain, the information on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in children prenatally exposed to antidepressants is largely reassuring.