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Pregnancy was once thought to protect against psychiatric disorders, but recent studies have shown similar rates of major depression in gravid and nongravid women. Still, few data exist regarding the risk for depression relapse during pregnancy — a vital concern for women weighing the risks of antidepressant exposure for the fetus (see Journal Watch Psychiatry Feb 22 2006).
Researchers naturalistically followed 201 currently euthymic, pregnant women with histories of depression (euthymia ≥3 months before pregnancy; mean depression duration, 15.4 years). At baseline, 44% reported five or more depressive episodes, 53% had psychiatric comorbidities, and 92% were taking antidepressants (predominantly SSRIs or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake in…