Abstract

Women have higher prevalence rates of depression than men and they are particularly vulnerable to depression in childbearing years. The rates of depression can reach up to 20% of all women during pregnancy. Actually, physicians who treat women are likely to find themselves trying to choose the best option for protection of the mother and for the development of her child. Safety issues and negative birth outcomes are matters of concern with antidepressant use during pregnancy. Otherwise, untreated depression also has potential to cause health complications for both mother and infant. It is obvious that possible adverse effects of antidepressant use during pregnancy are more emphasized but adverse outcomes of untreated depression are underrated. Currently, studies exhibit conflicting results about antidepressant safety in pregnancy period so current data must be cautiously interpreted. The risks and benefits of both options must be taken into account in decision-making process with families.

Key words: Pregnancy, antidepressant safety, teratogenicity, untreated depression