NEW WARNINGS ABOUT PREGNANCY & ANTIDEPRESSANTS

STUDY OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS IN PREGNANT
WOMEN FINDS MORE RISKS THAN BENEFITS

www.cbsnews.com - Commonly-prescribed SSRI antidepressants should be given to pregnant women with “great caution” because the drugs could raise risk for miscarriage, premature birth and health problems in both mom and a newborn baby, a new study concludes. For the study, published in the Oct. 31 issue of Human Reproduction, researchers from several Boston-area hospitals reviewed previously published studies that examined women with depression who took antidepressants while pregnant. 
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a popular type of antidepressants that block the reuptake of a brain chemical serotonin, which affects mood and emotional response. Such drugs include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Lexapro. It was found that many studies showed SSRIs were no more effective, or slightly more effective, than placebo pills for treating depression in pregnant women.

Other evidence suggested SSRIs may make it more difficult to get pregnant for women taking fertility treatments. They review also found evidence of health risks for pregnant women taking antidepressants including an increase in miscarriage and two potentially dangerous conditions, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, especially if use extends beyond the first trimester. Premature birth was the “most pressing” obstetrical complication in more than 30 studies researchers reviewed. Urato said, “This is a significant finding because we know that babies born before 37 weeks are at risk for many short and long-term health problems.”
The researchers concluded that SSRI antidepressants should only be prescribed with great caution and with full counseling for women experiencing depression and trying to get pregnant.

According to the researchers, antidepressant use has increased 400 percent over the past 20 years, making the drugs the most commonly prescribed medication in the U.S. for people between 18 and 44 years of age - the childbearing age range for most women. However, women with severe depression (such as women with bipolar disorder, those who experience psychotic episodes, and those who are suicidal or have a history of suicide attempts) should not attempt to go off their antidepressants during pregnancy but try to seek help in beneficial practices such as Hatha Yoga and Pranayama.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Pranayama is extremely beneficial for children, young, middle aged and old people.  Everybody can practice pranayama irrespective of the age and problems. ... Regular practice of pranayama helps in the physical, mental and spiritual development. ... Yogasanas and pranayama are also suitable for women looking at their anatomy. They become beautiful, delicate, and healthy with a good figure. Their vitality also increases many times. The pregnant ladies get good benefits from pranayama. The ladies who practice asana-pranayama after conceiving, their womb develops in a healthy manner and gives proper nutrition to the child. The physical and mental pain caused during pregnancy is relieved easily. The child also remains healthy. The reproductive organs become healthy and capable to an extent that caesarian method is not required for delivering the child but a healthy child is born through normal delivery.

Remedy Spot.com - “Yoga and Pranayama”
“Importance of Pranayama”
Health, Ayurveda, Yoga and Natural Healing
Posted by Lakshmikant Dikshit - Published on 10-29-2011
http://www.remedyspot.com/articles/254-importance-pranayama.html

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/