What Is Prescribed for Pregnant Women with Depression?

What Is Prescribed for Pregnant Women with Depression?

Last Updated: February 3rd, 2026

Pregnant women typically go to great lengths to give their baby a healthy start in life.

They will change everything from what they eat to even avoiding certain medicines that might be harmful to their newborn.

However, many women are frustrated by the confusing information on whether selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) antidepressants are safe.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued many warnings that SSRIs could cause birth defects.

Some commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressants for pregnant women include:

Prozac
Celexa
Zoloft
Paxil
Luvox
Lexapro

What Do Studies Show About the Side Effects of Taking Antidepressants During Pregnancy?

There are many studies that have shown birth defects can result from a pregnant woman taking antidepressants.

Three new studies have raised even more concern about these dangers.

The New York Times says, “Researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported in April that boys with autism were nearly three times more likely to have been exposed to S.S.R.I.s before birth than typically developing boys.”

Additionally, Harvard researchers found that unborn children exposed to SSRIs have a higher risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than those who are not.

Having a baby prematurely can cause short and long-term health problems for the child.

Doctor’s believed that depressed women were at a higher risk of giving birth prematurely.

However, an analysis of previous studies led researchers to conclude “that women on antidepressants were more likely to give birth prematurely than depressed women who weren’t on medication,” according to The New York Times.

Everyday studies are concluding the same thing: SSRIs can be dangerous for unborn children.

If you would like to learn more about the link between SSRI antidepressants and birth defects, please call our law firm toll-free at (419) 827-3194 for more information.

Zoll & Kranz – Defective Medical Drug and Device Lawyers

Source: https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/01/possible-risks-of-s-s-r-i-antidepressants-to-newborns/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=2

Published by:

Michelle L. Kranz

Michelle is a founding partner of Zoll & Kranz, located in Toledo, Ohio. Michelle has been a plaintiff’s lawyer for the entirety of her practice – over 32 years. She devotes the majority of her time to complex consolidated litigation and class action including advocating for people injured by medical devices, prescription medications, or corporate negligence.

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and attorneys at Zoll & Kranz, LLC and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced Ohio injury lawyer, Michelle L. Kranz, you can do so here.

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Zoll & Kranz, LLC does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.

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