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David Mrazek, M.D.
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David Mrazek, M.D.
David Mrazek, M.D.
Dr. David A. Mrazek is chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and a professor of psychiatry at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. Dr. Mrazek has developed a federally funded psychiatric pharmacogenomics research program and implemented clinical psychiatric pharmacogenomics services at Mayo Clinic.
He has received numerous awards including the Award for Creativity in Psychiatric Education from the American College of Psychiatrists and the Agnes Purcell McGavin Award for Distinguished Career Achievement in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association. He currently serves as chairman of the board of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. Mrazek has focused his current efforts on using pharmacogenomics testing to improve clinical care. One of his specific goals is to decrease the risks of taking psychiatric medications.
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Depression blog
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Nov. 25, 2008
Depression and pregnancy
By David Mrazek, M.D.
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Pregnancy is a joyous occasion. Pregnancy, though, does not protect women from experiencing mild to severe depression. Medication and/or therapy may be recommended.
Treating depression is always important and it can be successfully treated during and after pregnancy. Some antidepressant/antianxiety medications can be used safely throughout pregnancy and breast feeding.
Paxil (generic name Paroxetine) has been shown to cause cardiac malformations in the fetus and absolutely should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy. There is no evidence that children have harmful long-term effects as a result of their mother taking antidepressant medication during pregnancy.
No medication is 100 percent safe during pregnancy, but some are safer than others. Mood stabilizers generally are not safe during pregnancy. If you have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder, discuss this with your health care provider.
Untreated depression during pregnancy has been proven to lead to higher rates of:
- Lower birth weights
- Pre-term labor (depression doubles the risk)
- Increased use of alcohol and drugs to self-medicate
Please have a candid discussion with both your psychiatrist and OB-GYN regarding the benefits, risks and side effects of all medications. If you have been diagnosed with depression and are considering pregnancy, meet with your health providers before you get pregnant. This will provide peace of mind and help to make sure that you and your baby are both as healthy as possible.
Please share your experiences.
4 comments posted
September 24, 2010 9:51 p.m.
u can also not be as firtle to become pregnant if u have some form of depression. that is why i cant get pregnant. the stress of it is making me even more depressed.
- szilvia
September 8, 2010 6:47 p.m.
i just use a person i can talk to and do activitys that relaxes me and is good ofor the baby like a hot bubble bath drinking tea.
- jazmine
August 25, 2009 9:54 a.m.
The large change in water levels during pregnancy suggests that hyponatremia may be the root cause of this depression. My personal experience has shown me how inept current psychiatric medicine is at detecting this condition. A high salt diet (10-15g/day providing hypertension doesn't become a problem) is probably all that is needed to overcome this depression.
- Greg
December 12, 2008 11:02 a.m.
I've had two wonderfully healthy babies and also two bouts of "the blues" as well. I found that activity and exercise is a great way to release (I used to have both girls in "tiny tots" gym - but I think I got the most out of it!) But I also found that working on my own self-empowerment and positive attitude through Jay Block's emotional channeling techniques was an almost instant response!
- Ellen
4 comments posted