January 2009
50 posts
Infertility and Common Chemicals →
A new study reveals that common chemicals that can be found in pesticides, clothing, food packaging, and cosmetics may reduce fertility in women. These chemicals (perfluorinated chemicals - PFCs)…
Manerix and Pregnancy →
Manerix use in pregnancy is not recommended. The safety of Manerix on the unborn baby has not been established. Discuss with your healthcare provider if the benefits of taking this drug…
Tegretol and Pregnancy →
The use of Tegretol during pregnancy should be done with caution. Tegretol can cause harm to an unborn baby. The use of this medicine in pregnancy should only be done when the benefits…
MAOIs and Pregnancy →
MAOIs should not be used in pregnancy. Research has indicated that MAOIs can cause birth defects when taken during the first three months. If you are pregnant, or planning to become…
Rubella Test →
The rubella test is a common medical test performed to confirm or identify the presence of protection against the rubella virus. The test is performed through a simple blood test and it may be…
Prometrium During Pregnancy →
Doctors may prescribe Prometrium to pregnant women who have a history of miscarriages or who have undergone fertility treatments. Prometrium provides a boost of progesterone which…
Twins and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome →
Twins have an higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome than single birth babies. There is also an increased risk of the surviving twin dying from SIDS once their twin dies from the syndrome….
High Risk Pregnancies Due to Antidepressants →
Some antidepressants may cause high risk pregnancies. However, not treating depression can put both you and your fetus’ health at risk. It is important to contact your doctor prior to…
What Is Postpartum Depression →
Postpartum depression (also called postnatal depression) is a potentially serious mental illness that can occur within the first few months after childbirth. Postpartum depression may also…
Bipolar and Breastfeeding →
If you suffer from bipolar disorder, you should speak with your doctor before breastfeeding, especially if on medication. Medication for bipolar disorder can enter the breast milk and…
Psychological Support for Postpartum Depression →
A new study shows women who are struggling with postpartum depression can be helped by other mothers and professionals who have been through the same thing. A women who suffers from postpartum…
TCAs and Pregnancy →
The use of TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) in pregnancy should be avoided. While the effects of TCAs on pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied, some research shows that adverse birth…
Postpartum Depression Tips for Husbands and... →
Husbands and partners can ease the pain of postpartum depression (PPD) by being patient and supportive. PPD affects about one in 10 new mothers, according to the National Institute of Mental…
Symptoms of Ovulation →
Physical symptoms associated with ovulation include breast tenderness, abdominal cramps or twinges, increased vaginal discharge, and a change in the firmness and position of the …
Low Birth Weight →
Low birth weight is described as infants weighing under 2,500 grams (or approximately 5lbs 8oz) at birth. Infants who weigh less than this are typically at risk for more problems during and after…
Antipsychotics and Pregnancy →
A study has shown that taking antipsychotics during pregnancy can cause low birth weight. This study has also indicated that discontinuing these medications can be harmful to the mother….
SNRIs and Pregnancy →
SNRI use in pregnancy should be avoided, especially in the latter months. Infants who were exposed to these drugs during late pregnancy experienced complications such as difficulty breathing,…
Doxepin and Pregnancy →
Doxepin should be used with caution during pregnancy. The newborn may show withdrawal symptoms such as agitation and impaired cardio-respiratory functions. If you are taking Doxipen and are…
Mood Stabilizers and Pregnancy →
Mood stabilizers are medications used for the treatment of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mood disorders. Studies have shown that these medications pose a risk of …
SSRIs and Pregnancy →
Careful use of SSRIs or other antidepressants is important during pregnancy. Depression can be unhealthy for both the mother and the fetus, yet some antidepressants may put the baby at…
Prozac and Pregnancy →
Prozac, a common antidepressant, is rated by the FDA as a pregnancy Category C drug. This means that the drug showed potential health risks to the fetus in animal studies. Depression…
Haldol and Pregnancy →
Haldol, the brand name of the generic drug haloperidol, should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit to the mother clearly outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. The U.S….
Pregnancy and Nosebleeds →
Nosebleeds during pregnancy are very common. Increased hormone levels — namely, estrogen and progesterone — cause an increase in blood flow to all mucous membranes which…
Pulmonary Hypertension and Pregnancy →
Pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy is associated with a high mortality rate. Women are advised to use barrier methods of contraception or progesterone-only birth control pills…
Startle Reflex →
The startle reflex (also known as the Moro reflex) is an involuntary response that is present in newborns. The reflex is observed in response to a sudden noise, or if a baby feels it is falling….
Effexor and Pregnancy →
Use of Effexor during pregnancy could cause potential harm to the fetus. Reports have shown that fetuses exposed to Effexor during the third trimester may experience complications that require…
Pamelor and Pregnancy →
Pamelor should be used with caution during pregnancy. Pamelor is a brand name for nortriptyline and used primarily to treat depression and other types of mood disorders. If you are…
Seroquel and Pregnancy →
Use of Seroquel during pregnancy may not be safe. Studies have shown that an increase of miscarriage can occur. In studies on rats and rabbits that were pregnant it was shown to cause low…
Thorazine and Pregnancy →
Use of Thorazine during pregnancy may not be safe. Studies have shown that the use of Thorazine during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage. The full risks of Thorazine are not…
Antenatal Depression →
Antenatal depression is different than postpartum depression, as antenatal depression occurs during pregnancy. This depression can occur during any trimester and can last until after the…
Lithium and Pregnancy →
Use of lithium during pregnancy is considered unsafe. Studies have shown that lithium increases the chance of birth defects in the fetus. Lithium is a pregnancy category D drug according…
Tiagabine and Pregnancy →
Tiagabine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless the benefits of the medication clearly outweigh any potential risk to the fetus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have…
Mental Health Problems During Pregnancy and... →
For many parents, pregnancy can be an exciting time. For people suffering from a mental illness, it can bring added concerns and anxiety. Mental health can be affected in different ways as the…
Abilify and Pregnancy →
Use of Abilify during pregnancy may not be safe. In studies Abilify has been shown to increase the chances of miscarriage and birth defects. When given to rats Abilify caused low…
Wellbutrin and Pregnancy →
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has listed Wellbutrin as a Category C drug. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given low doses of Wellbutrin, and some adverse effects were…
Zyprexa and Pregnancy →
Zyprexa, the brand name of the generic drug olanzapine, is classified as a Category C medication by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, meaning the drug has not been extensively studied…
Diazepam and Pregnancy →
Diazepam is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Diazepam, also known as Diastat, Diastat AcuDial, Diastat Pediatric, Diazepam Intensol, Dizac, Valium, Valrelease, and Zetran, is in…
Quetiapine and Pregnancy →
The use of quetiapine (Seroquel) during pregnancy should be done with caution. Quetiapine has been given a category C rating, which means that it might not be safe to take during pregnancy….
Ativan and Pregnancy →
Ativan, a drug used to treat anxiety, can cause serious complications in pregnant women. The use of Ativan in the first trimester of pregnancy has been associated with fetal damage. It is…
Zyban and Pregnancy →
Zyban is a pregnancy category C medication. Zyban should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Studies have shown that there are no greater…
Benzodiazepines and Pregnancy →
Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy is not recommended. The FDA has listed this as a category D medication. Neurodevelopmental disorders occur in the babies exposed to benzodiazepines….
Mellaril and Pregnancy →
Unless the benefit of using Mellaril clearly outweighs the potential risk to the fetus, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Mellaril is listed as a…
Bipolar Medications and Pregnancy →
Careful planning is important for women with bipolar disorder who want to become pregnant. Many bipolar medications have been shown to be harmful to the fetus, but discontinuing…
Major Depression and Pregnancy →
Major depression symptoms occur in up to 20% of women who are pregnant. Women with a history of depression are at an increased risk of suffering from major depression during their…
Breastfeeding During Pregnancy →
It is not uncommon for women who are breastfeeding to become pregnant. Under most circumstances, it is perfectly safe for women to nurse one child while pregnant with another. You will need…
Xanax and Pregnancy →
Xanax, the brand name of the drug alprazolam, is not recommended for use by pregnant women. Both human and animal studies have shown an increased risk of birth defects in the fetus when…
Postpartum Depression Causes →
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a depression that occurs after a women has a baby. Approximately 10-20% of women develop PPD within a few months of delivery. There has been no specific cause…
Postpartum Depression Risk Factors →
Postpartum depression risk factors include any woman who has had a previous history of clinical depression, anxiety or panic disorder, bipolar disease, obsessive-compulsive…
Depression and Pregnancy →
Depression during and after a pregnancy can have serious consequences for the mother and the baby. Although the number of women who are effected by depression during pregnancy is unknown,…
Natural Treatments for Postpartum Depression →
Some natural treatments for postpartum depression may include St. John’s wort and evening primrose oil. Reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and eating right may also be helpful….