Pregnancy Outcomes - 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

Prenatal Use of Atypical Antipsychotics: Effect on Birth Weight

Atypical antipsychotic medications are commonly used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Despite the increasing use of these medications in women of child-bearing age, there is still relatively little data addressing the reproductive safety of these medications.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:37:11-04:00January 25th, 2010|Antipsychotic Medications, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off

Intrauterine Cannabis Exposure Affects Fetal Growth

Although the risks of smoking tobacco while pregnant are well documented and well publicized to the general population, women continue to smoke cigarettes during pregnancy. Smoking cigarettes is known to increase a woman's risk of having a low-birth weight baby and increases the risk of preterm delivery. While clinicians often ask about and discourage tobacco use during pregnancy, much less attention has been devoted to the use of marijuana during pregnancy, despite the fact that marijuana is the most commonly consumed illicit drug among pregnant women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:33:51-04:00January 21st, 2010|Cannabis, Outcomes, Perinatal Substance Use, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off

Panic Disorder Increases the Risk of Adverse Birth Outcomes

Anxiety often results in the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This activation is commonly known as the “fight or flight response”; symptoms may include increased heart rate, shortness of breath, perspiration, chest pain, and nausea or diarrhea. Activation of the fight or flight response is also associated with the activation of numerous other responses in the body, including the production of various stress hormones, including cortisol.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:26:31-04:00December 8th, 2009|Anxiety Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Prepregnancy Depressive Mood is a Risk Factor for Preterm Birth

There have been multiple studies suggesting that depression during pregnancy increases the risk for preterm labor. Most studies do not attribute this increase in risk to antidepressant exposure, but to the effects of the depression itself. The mechanism is believed to be related to increased levels of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) which is triggered by stress. Elevated levels of CRH have been shown to be a predictor of preterm birth.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:53:20-04:00July 28th, 2009|Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Do SSRIs Increase the Risk of Preeclampsia?

Hypertension in pregnancy is generally defined as a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater or a systolic pressure at or above 140 mm Hg. Preeclampsia is defined as the development of hypertension with proteinuria or edema induced by pregnancy, generally in the second half of gestation. It is more common in women who have not carried a previous pregnancy beyond 20 weeks and in women at the extremes of the reproductive years.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T11:31:33-04:00June 22nd, 2009|Antidepressants, Pregnancy & Medications, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off

Depression during Pregnancy Increases the Risk of Preterm Delivery

A new study reported in Human Reproduction supports what many other studies have found, that untreated depression during pregnancy increases the likelihood of delivering before 37 weeks gestation.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:47:05-04:00November 3rd, 2008|Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Link Found Between Anxiety and Preterm Birth

While there have been concerns regarding the reproductive safety of psychotropic medications, it must be recognized that withholding or withdrawing pharmacologic treatment for depression or anxiety during pregnancy may not always be the safest option. Untreated psychiatric illness in the mother cannot be considered a benign event, and a number of studies have indicated that depression during pregnancy may negatively affect pregnancy outcomes (reviewed in Bonari 2004).

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-03-24T11:57:46-04:00October 22nd, 2007|Anxiety Disorders, Outcomes, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Reviewing the Safety of SSRI’s in Pregnancy

Over the past 15 years, multiple studies have addressed the reproductive safety of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Data on the overall teratogenicity of SSRIs come from relatively small cohort studies and larger international programs, and they have cumulatively supported the reproductive safety of fluoxetine (Prozac) and certain other SSRIs. However, several recent studies have raised concerns regarding the use of SSRIs during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-23T14:50:24-04:00December 31st, 2005|Antidepressants, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Pregnancy Outcomes|Comments Off

Depression and Preterm Labor

Although most people tend to think of pregnancy as a time of emotional well-being, depression is relatively common, affecting about 1 in 10 women. While there are obvious concerns related to the use of antidepressants during pregnancy and the effects of these medications on the developing fetus, less attention has focused on the impact of depression itself on the pregnancy. A recent study suggests that women with depression may be at greater risk for preterm labor.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-20T10:48:28-04:00April 30th, 2002|Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off