Denton, TX - Researchers affiliated with the Texas Teratogen Information Service at the University of North Texas have found women exposed to certain antidepressants during pregnancy were significantly less likely to breastfeed their babies compared to unexposed women. The results of the study were recently published in the February 2012 online edition of The Journal of Human Lactation.
The study uses data obtained by counselors at the Texas TIS’ California affiliate. Like the Texas Pregnancy Riskline, the California program is a toll-free service offering evidence-based clinical information about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It focused on 466 pregnant women who contacted the service over a 10-year period with questions about a wide variety of exposures and, after being counseled, agreed to participate in a follow-up study of their pregnancy outcome.

The study specifically examines breastfeeding choices of women exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants at the time of delivery, compared to those who discontinued use of antidepressants earlier in pregnancy, as well as to those women who report not taking antidepressants at all. The results showed women exposed to an SSRI anytime in pregnancy were about 60% less likely to initiate breastfeeding than women who took no antidepressant.

“While the benefits of breastfeeding an infant are very clear, this study suggests that women who are taking antidepressants in pregnancy are not engaging in this behavior as often as we would like to see,” said Christina Chambers PhD, MPH, professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego and co-author of the study. “Whether this is due to the mother’s fear of harming her baby by breastfeeding while taking the medication, or due to the mother’s depression itself is unclear.”
According to Lori Wolfe, Director of the Texas TIS, regardless of the reason for breastfeeding choice, the study suggests that women who have depressive disorders and/or who take antidepressants in pregnancy may require additional encouragement and support when making the choice to breastfeed an infant. Many of the women who call the Texas service tell us that their doctors do not want them to take their antidepressant medications while they breastfeed. So often the women feel that they have to choose between taking their antidepressant medication and breastfeeding. We want them to know that our service is here to give them the information that they need to make an education decision. Often they can safely take their needed medication and also breastfeed their baby.

Questions or concerns about antidepressants or any other exposure during pregnancy or breastfeeding can be directed to the Texas Pregnancy Riskline at 800-733-4727 or visit our website at www.ttis.unt.edu. Outside of Texas, please call the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) at 866-626-6847.
******For more information or if you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Lori Wolfe at 800-733-4727. Spanish-speaking interviews are also available.*****