In recent years, several studies have found that suffering from certain mental disorders during pregnancy, such as anxiety or depression, ended up affecting the baby.
Now a new study reveals that none of these diseases would affect the fetus, but in reality, the consequences are related to the medication they receive to treat the mental health of pregnant women.
The study
Conducted by researchers at Yale University, the study sought find the possible association between anxiety disorders during pregnancy with the health of mothers and babies in the future.
According to the information in their study, they believe that although there are data that show that diseases such as anxiety during pregnancy increase the likelihood of negative effects, the information may be inaccurate because it does not consider other factors such as drug treatment and substance use by mothers.
With this study, what they were looking for was determine if it was the diseases alone or the medication that caused negative effects on mom and baby at the end of pregnancy.
The study included 2,654 pregnant women who were followed up during their pregnancy and postpartum. No association was found between mental illnesses during pregnancy, nor negative effects on mothers or babies. But nevertheless, yes relationship was found in the use of certain antidepressants and medications, although the frequency was moderate.
With the benzodiazepine based treatment, the cups needing ventilatory support increased by 61 out of every 1,000 newborns, and the duration of pregnancy was reduced by 3.6 days.
With the use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors Pregnancy was reduced by 1.8 days, while 152 out of every 1,000 newborns needed minor respiratory interventions, and 53 out of every 1,000 women experienced hypertension during pregnancy.
The researchers concluded that suffering from anxiety or panic disorders did not contribute to negative complications during pregnancy, but the use of medications influenced, although they were in small quantities.
Doesn't this contradict previous studies?
On the one hand, yes. exist previous studies in which they found that the mother's mental health does directly influence the baby, but more than in birth defects, the evidence was found in the baby's mental health.
But on the other hand, we had just published another study in which they found that the use of antidepressants during pregnancy doubled the risks of birth defects, which makes it is necessary to analyze in greater depth the risks and benefits of use during pregnancy.
The most important thing: taking care of mental health since pregnancy
In addition to sharing these results, it is necessary to remember that anxiety and depression during pregnancy are so common that one in four women suffers, and hence the importance of continuing to study.
It is essential that during medical check-ups during pregnancy, not only physical factors are taken into account, but that the mental health of mothers should also be taken into account. If we are knowing that the use of antidepressants can have negative effects, it is necessary to study and analyze the symptoms to help find other methods that treat these conditions.
Caring for mental health during pregnancy does not only matter because it influences the baby, but also because being and feeling good is important to ourselves too. In addition to taking care of our body we must look for ways to take care of the mind during pregnancy.
As Eva commented in another article on how the emotional health of the mother during pregnancy affects the baby, there are different things we can do to feel better: Listen to relaxing music, do relaxation exercises or practice yoga, which will help us feel less stressed or anxious.
It is important to remind you, that If you are pregnant and have symptoms of depression or anxiety, it is best to ask for professional help.
Photos | iStock
Via | Webmd
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