Evidence linking prenatal cannabis to major malformations is mixed, but signals for rare defects like gastroschisis and omphalocele support caution regarding the use of cannabis in pregnancy.
Dr. Marlene Freeman warns that valproic acid poses severe, well-established reproductive risks and should not be used by anyone who could become pregnant.
Topiramate exposure in early pregnancy is linked to higher rates of major malformations and more specifically to increased risk of oral clefts, with risk rising at higher doses.
Recent studies find no increase in the risk of major malformations with first-trimester Z-drug exposure, although small increases in risk of preterm birth and low birth weight have been reported.
Despite FDA warnings, valproate is still prescribed to women of reproductive age, placing children at risk for birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders.
After accounting for maternal depression, there is little evidence of any association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and miscarriage.
There is evidence that depression itself can increase risk for preeclampsia. In women with more severe depression, treatment with an SSRI antidepressant may decrease risk.
Lithium use during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and large for gestational age infants.
Over a year ago, we wrote our first post on COVID-19, and it is hard to believe that we are still very much in the midst of a pandemic. Since that time, we have [...]
In treating pregnant women with mood or anxiety disorders, we tend to focus primarily on the reproductive safety of psychotropic medications; however, it must be recognized that withholding or withdrawing pharmacologic treatment for depression or [...]
