Antidepressants for Pregnant Women: “Large Scale Human Experiment”
We’re not the first to remark on the dangers of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pregnant women, and we won’t be the last. These antidepressants are having untold effects on unborn children, and subsequently their mothers. Worst of all, Big Pharma is aware of it and chooses to look the other way.
It’s a “large scale human experiment,” said Dr. Adam Urato, the assistant professor of maternal-fetal medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. He says drug companies have overstated the benefits of these drugs, while sugarcoating the risks—all in the name of the almighty dollar.
“Study after study shows increased rates of newborn complications in those babies who were exposed to SSRIs in-utero,” says Dr. Urato. “The Federal Drug Administration [in the US] and Health Canada have put out warnings specifically regarding this issue.” Still, the drugs remain one of the most popular on the market—for everyone including pregnant women.
Not only do these drugs increase the risk of a premature birth, but also miscarriage, and even autism. These facts have been demonstrated again and again. Around 40 studies have linked SSRIs and premature birth.
So, why do mothers keep taking them? Because they are told by their doctors that it will lead to a better “pregnancy result”. Doctors (and therefore their patients) are scared that a woman off of antidepressants is a depressed woman, and a depressed woman won’t only have a miserable pregnancy but may also be at a greater risk of suicide, or simply not caring for themselves while carrying their infant.
But, as Urato says, “There really is not a shred of evidence to support that.” Still, the belief exists.
Alternative Treatments
There are natural and effective ways of treating depression, but it’s understandable that an individual who has been medicating themselves for months and even years would be reluctant to go off of their medication. Depression is scary. And withdrawing from SSRIs can cause even greater symptoms as the body, once again, has to correct the damage that’s been done.
Exercise, some type of non-invasive therapy (not likely from a psychiatrist), a proper diet, and other treatments like acupuncture and yoga have shown to be effective at battling depression. Supplementing with vitamin D and omega-3s may also be the solution. Best of all, they come without side effects.
For pregnant women, whose emotions may already be “all over the place,” coming off a drug they depend on may be frightening, but staying on the drug should be even scarier.
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i started preaching against this back in 2006 see article http://www.expectingfitness.com/articles-postpart… but the situation is only getting worse. Maternal mental health is a BIG topic in the maternal health circles (medicine, pharma, CDC, FDA, HHS, EPA, USDA, charitable and other so-called maternal /infant health orgs) but the push is for screening of pregnant women for depression to find more of them to push pills on. the only remedy is talk and pill therapy – nobody even mentions nutrition, exercise, sun exposure and lifestyle issues. All pushed and funded by pharmaceutical companies. The minute prevention is mentioned, you get squashed and silenced. I know Ive been silenced many times. The medical industry should be arrested for the harm they are doing to children born with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, anxiety and infertility thanks to SSRIs – but then this is the plan; population decline, by Agenda 21 and Codex Alimentarius.
I've been on antidepressants for over a decade. My past is so horrific that the mere fact I am alive is nothing short of a miracle. At first my meds just kept me alive while I worked very hard in therapy. I needed them to help me until I could learn skills and tools to help myself. Twelve years later I still take an antidepressant and some meds to help with sleep. I do eat good food, walk 3 to 4 miles at least 5 days a week and take vitamins as well. I see the glass as half full most of the time. There are those of us who have been through more then anyone should. We do everything right and still need medication. Please make sure you represent us in such articles. An article like this would have sent me off the edge not long ago. I would have gone into self hatred mode thinking why what you suggest hadn't worked. That I was a failure and life is over. Please put something in here that sometimes we need more and that's ok.
look up dr. abram hoffer… niacin worked better for me than any drug i ever took. Also test for allergies and avoid them and treat with vitamin c in megadoses.