Can taking antidepressants during pregnancy stop post natal depression?
Taking antidepressants during pregnancy has not been proven to decrease the chance of “baby blues” or postpartum (postnatal) depression. Why? Postpartum (postnatal) depression is typically caused by the extreme drop in estrogen and progesterone that occurs in the weeks after giving birth. It can also be caused by a drop in thyroid hormone production. Antidepressants do not address either of these situations; most antidepressants work on neurotransmitters, not hormones. If your physician has advised you to continue taking antidepressants during pregnancy, then you should follow his/her advice. Your postnatal depression might have been caused by hormones AND neurotransmitters; if so, continuing your meds may help decrease the possibility of PND.
