pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Lithium Discontinuation While Attempting to Conceive

For women with bipolar disorder who are planning a pregnancy, it is common practice to discontinue mood stabilizers prior to attempts to conceive, since the mood stabilizers most commonly used to treat bipolar disorder (lithium, valproic acid, and carbamazepine) all carry some risk of birth defect. The problem with this approach is that, after discontinuation of maintenance treatment, a woman is at very high risk for relapse. The longer it takes to get pregnant and the longer she remains off medication, the greater is her risk for having recurrent illness.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2024-04-14T16:20:24-04:00February 6th, 2002|Bipolar Disorder, Mood Stabilizers, Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Benzodiazepines and Pregnancy

The following post was written in 2001. The inforamiton has not changed considerably, but here are some more recent articles on this topic:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2019-07-13T21:48:51-04:00May 6th, 2001|Pregnancy & Medications|Comments Off

Selecting an Antidepressant During Pregnancy

Most women and their doctors try to avoid using medications during pregnancy. Of greatest concern is that a medication used during pregnancy may in some way harm the developing fetus or, at the very worst, cause a birth defect. But what happens when a pregnant woman needs to take a medication?

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-20T10:15:46-04:00May 6th, 2001|Anxiety Disorders, Child Outcomes, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations, Treatment|Comments Off

Bipolar Disorder and Pregnancy

Unfortunately the mood stabilizers most commonly used to treat bipolar disorder (including lithium and valproic acid) can increase the risk of certain types of birth defects or congenital malformations in children exposed to these medications during the first trimester of pregnancy. For this reason, many women with bipolar disorder choose to discontinue maintenance treatment during pregnancy. However, we have observed very high rates of illness during pregnancy among these women who discontinue treatment; over half of the women relapse, most frequently during the first trimester.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:38:39-04:00January 6th, 2001|Bipolar Disorder, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Preventing Depression During Pregnancy

Women who take antidepressants for their depression must make a difficult decision when they plan to become pregnant. Should they continue their medication during pregnancy? Or should they stop? Although there is information to support the reproductive safety of at least some antidepressants, most women, understandably concerned about exposing their babies to medication, choose to discontinue their antidepressant during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2022-01-13T18:09:48-04:00May 6th, 2000|Depressive Disorders, Prevention, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off