Antidepressant medication use in pregnancy: assessing the risks and outcomes

Treatment of depression and anxiety in pregnancy needs to balance the safety of treatment against the risks of untreated mental ill-health. In order for women to make the right decision for them and their baby, they need access to good quality evidence which considers the risks for them in the context of their physical, social, economic, and mental wellbeing. This research evaluates several risks that have been shown to be associated with treatment with antidepressant medications, including obesity, gestational diabetes, type II diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and neonatal outcomes.