A Fetus Can Sense Its Mother’s Depression: New Study

Hormonal fluctuations during and after pregnancy can cause feelings of depression. Many studies have shown that women suffering from depression put themselves and their unborn children at risk when they take an antidepressant like Zoloft. Some women who took the drug while pregnant are filing lawsuits against Pfizer, the manufacturer of the drug, because of the alleged birth defects caused by Zoloft.

A new study, published in the journal Psychological Science, suggests that in addition to the many other messages a fetus detects from its mother, signals of the mother’s mental state can also be felt. If a woman experiences depression while pregnant, it can affect the development of her child after it is born.

Womb Environment Found to be Important for Future Development

Researchers have been studying a fetus’s environment in utero for decades and have found many subtle clues as to how a mother’s mental state can affect her child’s development after it is born. This latest study, conducted at the University of California-Irvine, looked at the mental states of women before, during and after their pregnancies, in addition to the development of their children. The findings showed that the babies who had a consistent environment in utero, as well as after they were born, fared better than children whose mothers showed signs of depression before, during and after pregnancy. Mothers with inconsistent emotional states are at risk of giving birth to children who could experience neurological problems or psychiatric disorders of their own later in life.

“We believe that the human fetus is an active participant in its own development and is collecting information for life after birth,” said Curt A. Sandman, one of the study authors. “It is preparing for life based on the messages the mom is providing.”

Depression Screening of Pregnant Women Rare

Sandman suggests that depression screening of women before, and during pregnancy could be crucial to a child’s development. He does recommend “treatment” of depression symptoms but does not mention medication such as Zoloft or other antidepressants as a course of action.

Women should discuss their emotional as well as their physical well-being with their physicians at every stage of pregnancy to ensure the health of their unborn children. Those discussions should include whether or not treating depression with medication would be prudent given evidence of severe birth defects in children born to mothers who took Zoloft or another antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of drugs. It is important to weigh the risks and benefits to both mother and child.

Protect Your Child and Your Rights as a Consumer

If you were prescribed Zoloft while pregnant, took the medication as directed, and gave birth to a child with birth defects you feel resulted from taking an antidepressant, you have rights as a consumer. The Rottenstein Law Group’s Zoloft lawyers have over 25 years of collective experience advocating for individuals in consumer product injury and mass tort cases. They can help obtain compensation for pain and suffering and unforeseen medical costs. If you feel you have a zoloft birth defects lawsuit the attorneys at the Rottenstein Law Group offer free consultations and all you have to do is fill out this brief contact form or call us at 1-877-471-8940.

If you are considering filing a Zoloft birth defects lawsuit, download this free Zoloft brochure.