Taking medication when pregnant - what are the risks and benefits?
Recent research has highlighted the small, but possible, risks of birth defects in babies if their mothers take anti-depressants during pregnancy. But this needs to be weighed against the negative effect on the baby and the wider family, if the mother is severely depressed and stops taking her medication. Jane speaks to Hazel Rolston and Ruth Jackson who both experienced clinical depression and were faced with the dilemma of whether to go ahead with pregnancy while taking anti-depressants. But what do we know about the effects of these treatments during pregnancy, what are the benefits and disadvantages of taking them and are there any alternatives? Jane discusses these questions with Professor Simon Maxwell, Chair of the Prescribing Committee of the British Pharmacological Society, and Dr. Ian Jones a perinatal psychiatrist.
Beyond the edge by Hazel Rolston is published by Inter-Varsity Press ISBN 9781844742165
