Postpartum depression first gained medical attention in the 1970’s. While postpartum depression is similar to depression occurring at other times in a woman’s life, we have learned over time that many women with what we [...]
While the use of lithium has been in decline over the last 20 years, lithium continues to be a useful and highly effective mood stabilizer for women with bipolar disorder, especially those with a history [...]
When a woman comes in for a consultation regarding the use of medications during pregnancy, we spend most of our time reviewing the potential risks of exposure to medications during pregnancy. However, we must also [...]
Prenatal exposure to valproate has been associated with an elevated risk (10%) for a broad range of congenital malformations including neural tube defects, as well as adverse neurodevelopmental sequelae, including lower IQ and developmental delays [...]
While we have data to support the use of antidepressants, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), during pregnancy, most studies have focused on risk of congenital [...]
About 15% of women will experience postpartum depression after the birth of a child. While most of those women will have unipolar depression, a certain number of women will have bipolar depression. At this juncture, [...]
Anxiety symptoms are common during pregnancy and the postpartum period. According to a recent meta-analysis from Fawcett and colleagues, about one out of every five women has at least one type of anxiety disorder [...]
While we have considerable information regarding the teratogenic risk associated with prenatal exposure to various antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), we have considerably less information on the impact of exposure to AEDs on behavioral outcomes in [...]
While we have heard a lot about brexanolone, marketed by Sage Therapeutics as Zulresso, for the treatment of postpartum depression, an oral version of this novel antidepressant – SAGE 217 or zuranolone – has been [...]
For many women with bipolar disorder, lamotrigine (Lamictal) is an effective mood stabilizer. Given its favorable reproductive safety profile, lamotrigine is a reasonable option for women who require treatment with a mood stabilizer during pregnancy.  [...]
