Mothers on antidepressants likely to formula feed newborns

Pregnant women and new mothers living with depression will need targeted healthcare interventions. This is because exposure to antidepressants adversely affects exclusive breastfeeding rates at six to eight weeks, a study finds. At this stage, the study published in PLoS One Journal recently found that antidepressants and discontinuation of antidepressants in pregnant women and new mothers increases the risks of exclusive formula feeding. The study examined data from more than 100,000 babies born between 2000 and 2010, including babies whose mothers used antidepressants throughout their pregnancy and those who had prescriptions during the first trimester only. The researchers recorded preterm birth or low birth weight and low exclusive breastfeeding at six to eight weeks as effects associated with depression and antidepressants. Professor Sue Jordan, the study's lead researcher from Swansea University's College of Human and Health Science, says the findings "could be used to help clinicians improve care for women during pregnancy and after they have given birth."

LINK

"This analysis makes a very strong case for closer monitoring for women prescribed antidepressants, including scans in the third trimester to check on the baby's growth and development." Other studies have shown that mental health disorders in pregnant women could lead to poor maternal outcomes. This, in turn, threatens goals to reduce maternal deaths, especially in low and middle-income countries such as Kenya. United Nations Children's Fund statistics show that Kenya records an average of 1.5 million births yearly. The rate of perinatal depression is put at 20 per cent. Using these figures as an estimate for the number of women who give birth in Kenya, at least 300,000 women will get ill during the perinatal period."For a country that has less than 100 consultant psychiatrists to serve a population of 47.6 million people, it is clear that there are huge gaps in Kenya's maternal mental health sector," says Samoina Wangui, a perinatal mental health advocate from Postpartum Depression Kenya.

MORE SUPPORT

According to Wangui, the first year after childbirth and during pregnancy constitutes one of the most common Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). The perinatal period is defined as the period between pregnancy and the first year after childbirth. During this period, she says, women's bodies experience drastic hormonal changes as the transition from pregnancy to motherhood progresses. "These hormonal changes have been known to affect chemicals in the brain, thus predisposing women to maternal mental health conditions," Wangui tells HealthyNation in an interview.

Besides hormonal changes, other factors that may contribute to PMADs include genetics where family and relatives have lived with a mental illness, poor support and rejection by family. Additionally, sexual abuse, domestic violence and pregnancy complications could also cause PMADs. Working with women in Kikuyu constituency, Wangui has encountered the effects of untreated perinatal mental health conditions. "Many of these women do not have access to information and resources for their mental health,'" says Wangui. Consequently, one of the effects of untreated perinatal depression is reduced breastfeeding for the infant. This leads to malnutrition, inadequate medical care and treatment of the infant and increased risk of abuse. The community around a pregnant woman and new mothers can help reduce stress and offer incredible support through this transition. Wangui calls for increased awareness and conversations on perinatal health to sensitise the community.