Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2004 Jan:50:37-9.

Risks of untreated depression during pregnancy

Lori Bonari  1 , Heather Bennett, Adrienne Einarson, Gideon Koren
Affiliations

Risks of untreated depression during pregnancy

Lori Bonari et al. Can Fam Physician. 2004 Jan.

Abstract

Question: One of my patients who was taking an antidepressant for major depression is now pregnant and does not wish to take it any more. I believe she needs to continue her medication. She, however, is adamant about stopping it because she believes it would put her baby at risk. Is there evidence that not treating depression during pregnancy puts babies at risk?

Answer: A growing body of literature investigating the effects of not treating depression on mother and developing fetus suggests that untreated depression is associated with adverse fetal outcomes and a higher risk of maternal morbidity, including suicide ideation and attempts, and postpartum depression.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. J Clin Epidemiol. 1992 Oct;45(10):1093-9 - PubMed
    1. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1989 May;160(5 Pt 1):1107-11 - PubMed
    1. Epidemiol Rev. 1995;17(1):165-71 - PubMed
    1. BMJ. 1999 Jan 16;318(7177):153-7 - PubMed
    1. Psychol Med. 2000 Jan;30(1):89-94 - PubMed

Publication types

Substances