Everyone thinks that when you are expecting to become a mother, you should be happy and excited. But sometimes you feel sad, stressed, or scared? Then the biggest question that comes to many people is, "Should I continue taking my antidepressants or stop? Will they be harmful to the baby?" This is a very complicated question. So let's talk about this clearly today.
Why do mental problems increase during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a time of great change in a woman's life. Conditions like depression and anxiety are more likely to occur or worsen during this time. According to surveys, about one in four pregnant mothers suffer from depression.
There may be several reasons for this:
- Hormonal changes : Major hormonal changes in the body can affect brain chemistry and alter mood.
- Unplanned pregnancy: This pregnancy may not be what you expected. It's normal to have mixed feelings at times like these.
- Pre-existing mental health conditions: If you have a pre-existing condition like depression, it may worsen during pregnancy.
- Social pressure: Due to the social perception that "you should be happy during pregnancy," many people are embarrassed or afraid to talk about their feelings when they are sad.
The important thing is, it's not your fault that you're feeling these feelings. And you're not alone. Talking about it is the first and best step.
Is medication the only solution?
No. We don't have to resort to medication as a treatment for depression or anxiety. You can try other methods, especially if your symptoms are mild or moderate.
- Counseling/ psychotherapy : Talking about your feelings with a trained counselor can be a great relief.
- Good sleep: Try to sleep as well as possible.
- Nutritious diet: Eating a balanced diet is very important for both the body and the mind.
- Light exercise: Talk to your doctor and engage in light exercise that is appropriate for you.
But remember, sometimes even doing these things can make your mental health worse. In such cases, medication is essential.
There are risks in both taking and not taking medication.
This is where we really need to understand. This is not a simple question of "is it safe to take medication or not?" This is a question of choosing what is best for you and your baby between the "risks of taking medication" and the "risks of not taking treatment."
Simply put, it's a matter of choosing the lesser of two risks . Let's look at these two risks.
| Possible risks of taking medication | Risks of not getting treatment |
|---|---|
| Some medications (especially in the early months of pregnancy) may slightly increase the risk of miscarriage. For example, some types of benzodiazepines used for anxiety. | Due to severe mental stress, the mother takes less care of herself and the baby. She doesn't go to clinics on time, and she doesn't take vitamins. |
| Some studies have shown that some antidepressants , especially SSRIs, have a very small risk of causing minor birth defects in the baby's heart, lungs, and face. | There is a high chance of resorting to smoking, alcohol, or other drug use. These are very harmful to the child. |
| There may be a slightly increased risk of preterm birth or gestational hypertension. | The risk of low birth weight babies being born prematurely increases. |
| In the first few days after birth, your baby may show signs of mild restlessness and crying (these are usually temporary). | The mother's mental stress can also affect the child. There is a risk that the child will also have mental problems in the future. |
As you can see from this table , the risks of not treating a serious mental illness can sometimes be much greater than the risks of taking medication . Therefore, this decision should be made after talking to your doctor and assessing your situation carefully.
The type and dose of medication are very important.
If you need medication, the next most important thing is to get "the right medicine, at the lowest effective dose possible."
Not all medicines are the same.
Some medications are safer during pregnancy than others. For example, recent studies have shown that Sertraline (Zoloft) is less likely to be associated with birth defects than Paroxetine (Paxil) and Fluoxetine. So, be sure to talk to your doctor about the medications you're taking.
Dosage may vary.
During pregnancy, your blood volume and metabolism change, so the dose of any medication you are taking may not be sufficient. You may need to increase the dose a little. All of these things should be decided by your doctor.
Do not stop taking the medication suddenly!
This is very important. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, don't panic and stop taking your medication. Doing so can harm you and your baby. Stopping or changing your medication should be done gradually, under medical advice.
What you should and shouldn't do
Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you on this complex journey.
| Advice |
|---|
| Talk early: If you are already taking medication for a mental illness, talk to your doctor about it as soon as you plan to have a child. |
| Don't stop suddenly: Don't stop taking your medication as soon as you find out you're pregnant. That poses a different risk. See your doctor immediately. |
| Ensure the correct dosage: Ask your doctor if you need to change the dosage of your medication during pregnancy. |
| Ask about the safety of the medication: Don't be afraid to ask, "Doctor, how safe is this medication I'm taking during pregnancy? Is there a better alternative?" |
| Explore other methods: In addition to medication, talk to your doctor about things like counseling, exercise, and good sleep, and incorporate them into your life. |
Take-Home Message
- During pregnancy, your physical health as well as your mental health are extremely important.
- It's not your fault that you're feeling depressed. Don't be afraid to talk about it.
- Don't make decisions on your own about whether or not to take medication. Always talk openly with your doctor about this.
- Leaving a serious mental illness untreated may be more harmful to you and your unborn child than the risks of taking medication.
- Your doctor will definitely help you make the safest and most appropriate decision for you and your baby.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න