Antidepressants During Pregnancy May Cause Premature Birth
Women who take strategic serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to give birth prematurely. Some of the most popular antidepressants are SSRIs, including Prozac.
Researchers compared rates of premature birth between different women. They compared women who were depressed and taking SSRIs with those who were depressed but not taking SSRIs. Women who took SSRIs during pregnancy were twice as likely to give birth prematurely as those who did not take any antidepressants.
It is a confirmed fact that SSRIs can cross the placental barrier and enter into the fetal bloodstream. Research has also shown that babies born to women who used antidepressants during pregnancy often even suffer from withdrawal symptoms.
