Mental health in pregnancy and after birth (SIGN)
Antidepressants are the main type of medicine prescribed for moderate to severe depression:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
This is based on research about how well they improve your symptoms and how safe their side effects are, for you and your baby.
When choosing which antidepressant to prescribe when you are pregnant, your healthcare professional will consider how you responded to treatment with an antidepressant you may have taken in the past. They will also consider other factors that could increase the risk of harm from the medication.
If you have depression when you are pregnant or after you have had your baby, SSRIs are the first medicines to try. They can also help if you have anxiety as well as depression.
Some babies may need extra monitoring after birth if their mum or birthing parent has taken medication for a mental health condition during pregnancy.
The type of monitoring and how long the monitoring will go on for will depend on the type of medication, the dose and the health of your baby. This is normally agreed as part of your birth plan with the healthcare professionals involved in your care, such as your midwife, GP, health visitor or other professionals involved in your care.
When choosing which antidepressant to prescribe when you are breastfeeding, your healthcare professional will weigh up the benefits and risks of taking the medication and your baby’s health and age.