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From Mood Swings to Baby Swings

Clinical Depression and Conception

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

Having a baby is often called a blessing or a miracle. However, many women put their "blessing" on hold, needing a daily miracle just to get out of bed and get through the day. For women with clinical depression, motherhood can be extra trying – but not impossible.

Ann Douglas, author of The Mother of All Pregnancy Books (Wiley, 2002), states that there are many hurdles women diagnosed with depression must overcome when wanting and trying to conceive. These hurdles include questions regarding medications, hormone levels, and preparing mentally and emotionally for motherhood. "One of the biggest hurdles such couples may face is low libido in the depressed person," she says. "Depression tends to dampen one's enthusiasm about sex and certain types of antidepressants may only add to the problem."

"My medication affected my libido a bit, and we probably did have to work a little harder to get pregnant," says Constance Lovelace of Asheville, N.C. "Our sex life wasn't as spontaneous at times, but since we wanted to get pregnant, we did try a little harder. The way we looked at it was that since we did have to work a little harder, we might as well take advantage of it. We added a little spice and variety to our sex life – like bubble baths or massages – which made it seem less like we were working for the pregnancy and more like we were just having fun."

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that women who are on antidepressants receive the lowest possible dosage of these medications while they are trying to conceive. As there are many types and brands of antidepressant medications, it is best to discuss your regimen with your doctor to ensure both you and the baby are in the best health possible.

"While some medications are thought to be safe for a pregnant woman and her baby, others are not recommended for use during pregnancy," Douglas says. "This is the main reason why it's so important to talk to your doctor about the types of medications you're using before you start trying to conceive. Preconception planning is important for any mother-to-be, but it's particularly important if you have a history of clinical depression and/or are currently taking some sort of medication to treat depression."

Want to see more?

• Motherhood and Mental Health: Finding a Healthy Balance
• Taking it Easy (When Trying to Conceive)
• Decisions, Decisions: Which Conception Path is Right for You?
• Talk about it!

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