Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Treating Depression during Pregnancy | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I am nine weeks pregnant and have stopped taking Zoloft. Are there any natural remedies for depression or foods that will help? Please help me! Thank you.— Krista in Lodi, NJ | | | ANSWER |
October 11, 2001 | | | Dear Krista,
As I'm sure you know, depression is a miserable disease that affects millions of families. It's admirable that you have been tolerating your symptoms in order to avoid medication exposure, although there is no evidence that sertraline (Zoloft) causes birth defects or other fetal complications.
Many studies have shown that psychotherapy with a skilled therapist can help mild to moderate depression as much as drugs can. That would be a reasonable step to take, if you want to avoid medications. I would not take herbal remedies such as St. John's Wort in pregnancy, since we actually have less safety data about them than we do about sertraline and fluoxetine (Prozac).
Some women choose a compromise approach, where they stay off medications through the first trimester, to avoid any possible risk of causing birth defects, and then resume their medications around 12 weeks gestation, after the fetal organs have formed. Talk to your obstetrical practitioner about what would make the most sense in your particular situation.
Take care.— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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