Zoloft and Pregnancy Blog

Birth Defects can be Prevented?

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Colbert) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:09:00 +0000

Pregnancy is a very sensitive time for women and also for the baby because there are several possible complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has even said that in every 33 babies, there is always one case of birth defect. The possibility of birth defects has made women worry about their baby’s development and health. The National Birth Defects Prevention Network seeks to help women get all the information they need to prevent their child from developing birth defects. It was found through the help of research that antidepressants affect the baby’s head size.

The CDC has even provided ways that can be taken by women to avoid birth problems that could endanger their child’s life. Birth defects usually occur during the first three months of pregnancy; for this reason, women are encouraged to watch what they eat, drink and do during these critical months. Medications are not encouraged by obstetricians to be taken during pregnancy because they are seen to cause some birth defects too. Not all birth defects may be prevented, especially those that are hereditary but there are some types of defects that may be prevented. The causes of some birth defects are still unknown.

Folic acid was seen to prevent neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are very serious birth problems in the brain and spinal cord that may even cause death of the newborn. Research has determined that anencephaly and spina bifida are the most common type of neural tube defects. Taking folic acid which is vitamin B9 should be taken before and during pregnancy. Taking vitamins that has vitamin B or eating liver, egg yolk, soya products and potatoes may help prevent neural tube defects. Increasing the immune response of women may also prevent infections that could cause complications.

Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages would also lead to birth defects. Children born from women who drink (for intoxication) have been seen to develop fetal alcohol syndrome. This syndrome is identified for the growth retardation, central nervous system problems and distinct facial features. The alcohol crosses the blood-placenta barrier; thus, the baby also takes in amounts of alcohol. Smoking does not only cause birth defects but also premature birth and death; for this reason doctors advise their patients to quit smoking when they are planning to conceive. Medications were also seen to cause some birth defects. Researchers are now trying to determine if Zoloft birth defects are possible when taking Zoloft and other antidepressants.

URL References:

nbdpn.org/

health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/birthdefects/prevention.html

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/neuraltubedefects.html

webmd.com/baby/news/20110711/smoking-in-pregnancy-raises-birth-defect-risk

cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/prevention.html

Vitamins May Alleviate Depression, Studies Show

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Colbert) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:11:00 +0000

As more Americans are taking antidepressants like Zoloft, and as negative feedback on their side effects continue to mount, many people are seeking alternatives to prescription medications. The good thing is, recent studies suggest that vitamins may be used to ease depression, instead of antidepressants. These vitamins are Omega-3, folates, SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) and St. John’s wort.

According to an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Dr. George Papakostas, “we always recommend that patients take these natural supplements under the care of a doctor and not independently.”

Vitamins: Safer Alternatives in Alleviating Depression

An increasing evidence noted that omega-3 fatty acids, aside from being essential for cardiac health, may also help in easing depression. The rate of depression cases is lower in places where people have an omega-3 fatty-rich diet like sardines, mackerel, salmon and tuna. This is based on studies published in the American College of Nutrition journal in 2009.

Various studies have also shown that folates combined with antidepressants improved the effectiveness of the prescription drugs and have been known to reduce some side effects.

A recent study conducted at Harvard University and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry concluded that SAMe is effective as an “add-on” treatment to prescription antidepressants in some patients experiencing major depression.

Moreover, some studies show that St. John’s wort is capable of relieving depression better than a placebo, but others show it is “a little more effective” than nothing at all.

Antidepressants Put Pregnant Women at Risk

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a public health advisory that said:

“FDA is advising health care professionals to discuss the potential risk of birth defects with patients who are taking Zoloft and who plan to become pregnant or are in their first three months of pregnancy. Health care professionals should consider discontinuing Zoloft (andswitching to another antidepressant if indicated) in these patients. In some patients, the benefits of continuing Zoloft may be greater than the potential risk to the fetus. FDA is advising health care professionals avoid prescribing Zoloft in women who are in the first three months of pregnancy or who are planning pregnancy, unless other treatment options are not appropriate.”

Pfizer has been already charged with Zoloft lawsuit by the affected patients for the damages caused by the drug. Health care professionals note with great importance the need to properly establish the timing and kind of medications prescribed for pregnant women, including those who are still suspecting pregnancy. Hence, to avoid any harmful side effects, consumers, particularly women, should always consult a doctor first before taking any medication.

References:
· healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=703942
· womentowomen.com/depressionanxietyandmood/antidepressants.aspx
· antidepressantsfacts.com/before.htm

Getting Depressed During Pregnancy

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Colbert) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:47:00 +0000

Zoloft and Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very sensitive condition for every woman. The goal is to go through the whole experience without complications. However, some go through pregnancy with an existing illness or condition and they can be categorized under high-risk pregnancy. A history of mental illness can be a factor in considering the pregnancy as high-risk. One common mental illness in the world is depression and it affects 1 out of 10 Americans. Around 20.2% of those who are diagnosed are women compared to men that are around 8.2%. This condition can be primarily controlled through medications together with other treatment modalities but some medications like Zoloft can be a risk for your baby’s health.

Taking Antidepressants during Pregnancy

It has been established that pregnancy often triggers different types of emotions which can aggravate any mental illness like depression. When depression is not managed especially when at a critical stage of pregnancy, it can lead to several complications including low birth weight, developmental problems, premature birth and may even extend to post-partum. Drug therapy is the main management for depression. However, it has been observed that some of the antidepressant medications including Zoloft, can put the fetus at risk especially if it’s taken on the third trimester. The babies born to women who took the medication experience symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, seizures, tremors, irritability, constant crying and lack of oxygen in the blood. The symptoms may require the baby to be under close medical supervision, have respiratory support and feeding tubes. Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) in babies is also linked with the use of Zoloft. In PPHN, the new-born’s lungs cannot fully adapt to the external uterine environment since the arteries that bring blood to the lungs are constricted. The oxygen in the blood is limited because of the limited amount of blood in the lungs. This condition is very similar to Pulmonay Hypertension found in adults. PPHN is a very serious condition and it may even result to death.

When you are pregnant or trying to conceive a child, it is advised that you provide your physician with all the medications that you are taking as they may have an effect on your pregnancy. As with Zoloft, your doctor will weigh down the risk and benefits that you’ll get from the drug and might reduce the dosage or taper it once you are in the third trimester of your pregnancy.

Zoloft and Pregnancy Blog

Birth Defects can be Prevented?

Vitamins May Alleviate Depression, Studies Show

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Getting Depressed During Pregnancy