Health News
If you are pregnant and clinically depressed, you may be worried about stopping your medication. You are not alone.
Julie Jacobstein, M.D., Sinai Hospital Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, says many pregnant women ask about whether they should stop taking their antidepressant. According to the March of Dimes, out of every 10 women who are pregnant, one or two have symptoms of major depression.
?The goal is to keep you on the lowest possible does that is still therapeutic,? Dr. Jacobstein says. ?I am a big proponent of psychotherapy, but it?s often putting the two together that works best.?
While a woman may worry about the potential risks of medication, Dr. Jacobstein points out that the benefits of a having a mentally healthy mother should not be overlooked.
?It is more detrimental to the baby?s growth and development to have a mom who is not sleeping, not eating, and not functioning,? she says.
However, a medical professional can work with the woman to taper down levels of medication. Dr. Jacobstein also encourages physicians and family members to keep an eye out for symptoms of depression that arise in pregnancy, especially if the pregnancy was not planned or desired. These symptoms may include trouble sleeping, sleeping too much, family history of depression, lack of interest or difficulty concentrating on the pregnancy, or simply ?not being herself.?
?I look for people who are withdrawn,? she says. ?I have some women who look at that picture on the ultrasound and there is a detachment. I look at women who are losing weight - are they not eating because they are withdrawn or because they are having difficulty with pregnancy? You ask them, ?are you excited, have you thought about a delivery plan, have you thought about a pediatrician? ?
Above all, if you are taking an antidepressant and find out that you are pregnant, do not stop taking your medication without talking to your health provider.
To make an appointment with one of Sinai?s ob-gyns, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
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Health News
Depression, Medication and Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and clinically depressed, you may be worried about stopping your medication. You are not alone.
Julie Jacobstein, M.D., Sinai Hospital Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, says many pregnant women ask about whether they should stop taking their antidepressant. According to the March of Dimes, out of every 10 women who are pregnant, one or two have symptoms of major depression.
?The goal is to keep you on the lowest possible does that is still therapeutic,? Dr. Jacobstein says. ?I am a big proponent of psychotherapy, but it?s often putting the two together that works best.?
While a woman may worry about the potential risks of medication, Dr. Jacobstein points out that the benefits of a having a mentally healthy mother should not be overlooked.
?It is more detrimental to the baby?s growth and development to have a mom who is not sleeping, not eating, and not functioning,? she says.
However, a medical professional can work with the woman to taper down levels of medication. Dr. Jacobstein also encourages physicians and family members to keep an eye out for symptoms of depression that arise in pregnancy, especially if the pregnancy was not planned or desired. These symptoms may include trouble sleeping, sleeping too much, family history of depression, lack of interest or difficulty concentrating on the pregnancy, or simply ?not being herself.?
?I look for people who are withdrawn,? she says. ?I have some women who look at that picture on the ultrasound and there is a detachment. I look at women who are losing weight - are they not eating because they are withdrawn or because they are having difficulty with pregnancy? You ask them, ?are you excited, have you thought about a delivery plan, have you thought about a pediatrician? ?
Above all, if you are taking an antidepressant and find out that you are pregnant, do not stop taking your medication without talking to your health provider.
To make an appointment with one of Sinai?s ob-gyns, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
- Expectant Mothers Need To Get A Flu Shot
Expectant mothers need to get a flu shot as soon as it is available in their area, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only the flu shot, not the nasal-spray vaccine, is recommended for pregnant women because it is made with the inactivated...
- Poor, Rural Mothers-to-be Have High Levels Of Stress, And Few Resources To Help Them Handle It, Small-scale Study Concludes
Low-income pregnant women in rural areas experience high levels of stress, but lack the appropriate means to manage their emotional well-being, according to a small-scale study at the University of Missouri. The authors suggest that rural doctors...
- Baby Fat: Sinai Hospital Helps Women With Gestational Diabetes
The following is an excerpt from MdMD for Life 2011, available now. As a nurse, Lakecia Lewis knew what she needed to do to have a healthy pregnancy, including eating better. But when she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in 2006, Lewis kicked...
- Postpartum Depression Outreach Program Touches Lives Of New Mothers
Sleep deprivation, fluctuating hormones, high stress and limited mobility all can tax the emotional and mental health of any new mother. Mixed together, these ingredients can be a formula for depression despite the excitement of a newborn baby. According...
- Maternal-fetal Specialists Help Ease Worry Of High-risk Pregnancies
Expectant mothers are filled with excitement and joy at the prospect of welcoming a new member to the family. Nurseries are prepared and baby showers are planned with the expectation that the pregnancy will go smoothly. But what should you expect if your...