Paper
Managing Depression During Pregnancy
Published Nov 1, 2013 · Alison M. Reminick, S. Cohen, A. Einarson
Women's Health
10
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0
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Abstract
Depression is a common illness during pregnancy, yet it often goes undetected and/or untreated. Untreated depression during pregnancy has been associated with increased rates of adverse maternal, obstetrical and fetal outcomes; consequently, it is crucial to manage these women effectively and adequately during this vulnerable time of their lives. The barriers to treatment include the stigma surrounding mental health and the challenges of navigating the constantly growing, and apparently conflicting, evidence regarding the safety of antidepressant use during pregnancy, as well as other concerns unique to pregnant women. In this paper, we suggest the management of women with depression during pregnancy, using evidence-based information, taking into account all of the aspects of treatment, including screening, risks of untreated depression and evaluation of the safety data regarding pharmaceutical treatments. In addition, we have designed a treatment algorithm to assist clinicians in making evidence-based decisions in this highly sensitive and complex clinical field. Finally, it is important to evaluate each woman on an individual, case-by-base basis, in order to ensure the best outcome for both the mother and her baby.
Effective management of depression during pregnancy requires addressing stigma, evaluating antidepressant safety, and evaluating individual cases to ensure the best outcomes for both mother and baby.
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