How Can a Doctor Prescribe an Antidepressant to a Pregnant Woman, Knowing the Risks to the Fetus?

Question by Bumblesnortapus: How can a doctor prescribe an antidepressant to a pregnant woman, knowing the risks to the fetus?
First, let me clarify some things. I am 100% pro-choice. I also work in the medical field and am well aware that a developing fetus is basically, a parasite inside the mother. I get it, and am not trying to bring up legal rights of a fetus. That being said, I’m also well aware that ALL MEDS are prescribed with the mother’s best interest in mind over the developing fetus, as it should very well be. Depression however, is different. I have my minor in Psychology and have suffered boughts of depression, so I get that, too. However, if the woman chooses to not abort her fetus, is currently taken an antidepressant (all antidepressants are pregnancy catorgory X or D), how can the prescribing doctor feel it’s best to keep the mom on the medication? First, the mom-to-be should take responsibility and abort the fetus, if her depression is so bad that her treatment will cause harm to the developing fetus, but I’m aware that religious reasonings, ect make some feel abortion is wrong. So now this woman is pregnant and also on a med that harms the fetus. Why not wean the woman off of the meds, and if needed, hospitalize her for suicidal tenencies, IF it gets that bad, until the child is born?
But depression really doesn’t have any severe issues if left untreated, besides risk of self harm. If the female patient desides to not abort, then she shouldn’t be permitted the meds to harm the fetus, since depression isn’t a life threatening issue, like heart disease or COPD, unless the patient is suicidal, and that’s where the psych ward stay, comes into effect.
Antidepressants were NEVER meant to be used long term, either. Regardless of the “lifers” out there, these meds cause harm to the users, as well as the unborn fetus’.
Please remember antidepressants are NOT prescribed for schizophrenia,ect. Those meds are called “antipychotic medications.”

Best answer:

Answer by Dorothy Rose
Some women, even if placed in a Hospital Setting, suffer from such severe Mental Illnesses that without medication, would do far more harm than good. Therefore, the doctor has to weigh the benefits vs. risks. Usually he will find the lowest dose that will work for the mother and have the least amount of negative consequences for the Developing Fetus. Although, even by doing that, there is still a risk. This is why doctors have to carry that very expensive Malpractice Insurance and are obligated to inform the mother of all risks beforehand.

Edit: When I say Severe Mental Illnesses, I’m talking like Schizophrenia that without medication might mean the mom hears, “The baby is possessed, kill it.” No amount of time spent in the hospital alone is going to make that go away. Medication is necessary. This brings me to another point though, I really don’t think that unstable patients should get pregnant in the first place. It might sound cruel, but if you cannot take care of you own self, how can take care of an infant?

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Sober Bar Opens in Midwest to Help Stop Addiction

Filed under: drug abuse treatment options

… the movie theaters and the bowling alleys. Bars are not an option, because the mechanisms for alcoholism and drug addiction are so similar. … All proceeds from the bar will go toward the funding of drug education and treatment initatives in the …
Read more on Science World Report

Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership focuses on addicted babies

Filed under: drug abuse treatment options

The Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership and its parent organization United Way hope some of that answer is solved by holding summits where all the involved parties can discuss ideas and options. Ruby Lewis is a retired registered nurse …
Read more on West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Meth Addiction Cure: UCLA Tests Ibudilast On Human Addicts – Huffington Post

Filed under: drug abuse treatment options

The drug also may be the first non-opiate drug treatment for heroin and opiate addiction. In a recent trial, UCLA … The only options right now for meth addicts seeking recovery are counseling, an in-patient rehab center or Narcotics or Crystal Meth …
Read more on Huffington Post

Large crowd attends Drug Court graduation ceremony in Madison

Filed under: drug abuse treatment options

In addition to roundtable discussions he held last month in Huntington and Charleston, he is currently pushing two pieces of legislation – the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Excellence in Mental Health Act. These bills …
Read more on The Coal Valley News