Depression Treatments That Are Safe for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy means you’re living healthy for two. That includes eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep—and, if you have depression, finding a treatment that’s safe for you and for your baby.

Mental health is just as important as physical health for expectant moms. Much attention has been paid to postpartum depression, but many people may not realize that depression during pregnancy—called antepartum depression—is a real concern for many women. 

About 14% to 23% of women experience symptoms of major depressive disorder during their pregnancies. It’s important for these women to seek treatment to avoid the side effects of depression during pregnancy. If you’re concerned about the use of antidepressant medications while pregnant, it’s helpful to know that there are other alternatives available, such as TMS.

Risk Factors for Antepartum Depression

The surging hormones that ensure your baby develops properly in utero are also a key contributing factor to depression during and after pregnancy. Other risk factors include:

• High stress levels
• A history of depressive episodes
• Anxiety, whether it’s generalized anxiety disorder or something more specific such as miscarriage anxiety
• Little to no support inside or outside the home
• An abusive relationship
• Unexpected pregnancy

Signs of Pregnancy Depression

Women and their partners need to be aware of the signs of depression. These can include:

• Profound sadness
• Changes in appetite or sleep habits
• Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
• Heightened feelings of anxiety
• Brain fog that makes it hard to focus mentally

It may seem confusing to determine if a symptom is caused by pregnancy or depression. For instance, have you lost your appetite because you’re depressed, or is it morning sickness? Also, it’s very common for women to be concerned about how to deal with anxiety while pregnant. And it may be hard to sleep well with your body expanding or baby kicking. You should talk to your doctor if you have any concerns and ask for a mental health screening at your next appointment. 

Why Antepartum Depression Shouldn’t Be Ignored 

Treating depression while pregnant is vital for you and your baby. Untreated depression can take its toll on your mind and body, which are already in overdrive to meet the demands of carrying a baby. You may feel too exhausted or unmotivated to take care of yourself. As a result, you could stop eating a well-balanced diet, start skipping your doctor’s appointments or even turn to alcohol or drugs to try to cope. 

All of these decisions can potentially harm your baby. For instance, low birth weight and preterm birth have been linked to maternal depression during pregnancy, and those two conditions raise the risk of infant hospitalization or death.

Depression is treatable, and it’s essential for expecting mothers to get help. Talk therapy can be beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps women change their negative thoughts or behavior patterns to help ease depression symptoms. With interpersonal therapy, women examine their relationships and support networks to see how they influence mood.

There are some safety concerns when it comes to another first-line depression treatment. Antidepressants may not be advisable in some cases. Conventional wisdom on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy has fluctuated, based on limited or conflicting data. 

For instance, a recent CDC study was unable to confirm previous associations between certain medications and birth defects, but it also found new ones, such as the increased risk of birth defects with paroxetine or fluoxetine use in early pregnancy.

While these defects are rare, you’ll want to discuss your antidepressant use with your doctor to decide what’s best for you. That choice should be based on what’s best for you as well as for the baby. If you want to explore another route, TMS may be beneficial for you.

How TMS Can Help Pregnant Women Manage Depression Symptoms

TMS is believed to have a favorable safety profile in pregnancy. With TMS, there is no magnetic field near the uterus, and there are no known adverse effects in pregnancy.

Treatment takes place over the course of several weeks, starting with sessions every weekday then tapering down in the final weeks. An electromagnetic coil placed on the scalp emits magnetic pulses, which turn into gentle electric currents stimulating targeted areas of the brain.

Since treatment is non-invasive and drug free, TMS is beneficial for pregnant women. Side effects are minimal, and the magnetic pulses don’t pose harm to the mother or the baby. TMS is also cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat depression.

One of the best things you can do as a mother is to take care of yourself so that you can be there for your baby. Depression treatment is essential during pregnancy. Contact us to get started on safe, effective TMS treatment.