If you are a woman with depression, you should speak with your doctor about certain medications like SSRI drugs and related pregnancy risks. SSRI drugs are a type of antidepressant medication that target certain chemicals to balance them in the brain. They fall under the category of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) because it keeps the chemical serotonin from being reabsorbed in the nerve cells, so it is more readily available in the brain. Researchers believe that depression is caused by an imbalance of chemicals and that serotonin is key to mood elevation. SSRIs like Paxil are believed to have fewer side effects than some of the previous generations of anti-depressants.
The side effects that SSRIs have, however, can be very severe. While many medications may have some risk of side effects, SSRI drugs present some very concerning ones, especially for pregnant women and their babies. Depending on when these medications are taken during the pregnancy, it can affect the development of the fetus, resulting in birth defects.
When an SSRI is taken during the first trimester, babies may have heart problems, such as atrial or ventricular septal defects. These defects, or holes in the wall that separates the heart chambers make the organ work harder than it should. This condition may correct itself over time, or may require surgery.
SSRI drugs can also cause abnormalities in the development of the abdomen. As a fetus grows, the baby’s intestines may be too large for the abdomen, and may temporarily extend into the umbilical cord. During development, however, the abdomen of the fetus grows to accommodate the intestines, and they shift back inside. In some babies whose mothers have taken SSRI, however, the abdomen does not grow enough for the intestines to fit. As a result, the intestines continue to protrude into the umbilical cord. After the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, the intestines protrude into the naval opening. Surgery is necessary to correct this condition.
Another abnormality SSRI drugs can cause is craniosynostosis. As a baby grows in utero, the bony plates in the head move together to form the solid piece known as the skull. Fibrous joints, or sutures, connect those bony plates. When a baby has craniosynostosis, the sutures close prematurely, endangering normal brain development and growth. A baby may have pressure in the brain and facial abnormalities.
Scientists are not sure exactly how or why antidepressants are related to these abnormalities, however, for women who are pregnant, these risks must be considered. Doctors may consider if the benefits of SSRI medications to the mother outweigh the pregnancy risks, or determine if another medication may be effective without endangering the baby.
Some people believe that the manufacturers did not warn doctors and patients about SSRI and pregnancy risks. If you have taken antidepressants while pregnant and have a baby with a birth defect, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.
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