Depression medications taken during pregnancy not only go to you, but to your baby as well. Sadly, babies will withdraw from these substances in those early days and may experience a wide range of symptoms. Lets discuss why, and what you can do to help minimize this effect and how to help your baby.

resources:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression

Newborn Babies Go Through Antidepressant Withdrawal: A new study finds that newborn babies experience antidepressant withdrawal after birth if their mothers take SSRIs when pregnant. - Peter Simons -

September 6, 2021. https://www.madinamerica.com/2021/09/newborn-babies-go-antidepressant-withdrawal/#:~:text=A%20new%20meta-analysis%20uncovered%20evidence%20that%20newborn%20babies,mothers%20discontinue%20antidepressant%20use%20before%20pregnancy%20if%20possible.

Wang, J., & Cosci, F. (2021). Neonatal withdrawal syndrome following late in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 90, 299–307. https://doi.org/10.1159/000516031

Levinson-Castiel R, Merlob P, Linder N, Sirota L, Klinger G. Neonatal abstinence syndrome after in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in term infants. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006 Feb;160(2):173-6. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.160.2.173. PMID: 16461873

Mental Health America

https://mhanational.org/issues/position-statement-49-perinatal-mental-health

Rebecchini, L., Bind, R. H., & Pariante, C. (2022). Perinatal depression and mother-infant interventions: A literature review. In M. Percudani, A. Bramante, V. Brenna, & C. Pariante (Eds.), Key topics in perinatal mental health (pp. 359–373). Springer Nature Switzerland AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91832-3_24

Hull University Teaching Hosptials/ National Health Services (UK)

https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/mothers-who-take-antidepressant-medications-care-for-your-baby/#:~:text=Symptoms%20of%20withdrawal%20from%20antidepressant,better%20without%20any%20special%20intervention.

https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/withdrawal-symptoms-in-newborns-exposed-to-ssris/

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