Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Pregnancy after Suicide Attempt | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
In February, I was admitted into the hospital for trying to commit suicide by taking over 9000 milligrams of pills. Because the pills affected my liver, I stayed in the hospital for two days while the pills cleared out of my system. Now I'm 21 weeks pregnant (my last menstrual period was April 29th). Do you think all this will affect my baby? Is there anything I should be concerned about through this pregnancy?— Scared Mom in Babylon, NY | | | ANSWER |
October 19, 2001 | | | Dear Scared Mom,
I can't tell from your note what sort of pills you took, or if they are believed to have given you any lasting medical problems. Provided that your liver is now normal, and that you didn't suffer any permanent kidney damage, I can't think of any way that your current pregnancy would be affected by the overdose you took two months prior to conception.
That said, a history of a suicide attempt usually indicates major depression or other significant psychological suffering. Pregnancy, even if it was planned and is welcome, is definitely a stress. The postpartum period is also a time when many women suffer depression. You are at risk for having overwhelming feelings again, and for needing professional psychiatric help and perhaps anti-depressant medications. Do stay under the care of a psychiatric professional, and be sure to tell your ob practitioner about your history. Hopefully, you will continue to feel fine, but it should be reassuring to note that depression in pregnancy and postpartum depression are treatable, once you recognize the symptoms and seek help. Take care!— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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