The Hemp Connection:
congenital

In a study I did with over 1,000 women with PCOS who visited my website, over 85% described symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, conditions commonly treated with antidepressants. Therefore, any information I find regarding these medications and their effect on pregnancy is crucial to share.

In the study referenced in this post, over a period of almost 10 years, a total of 1,780 women who experienced 1,835 pregnancies over this time while also receiving either paroxetine (Paxil) or a combination of Paxil and at least one other antidepressants, during the first trimester of pregnancy. These women were compared to 9,008 women experiencing 9,134 pregnancies while on other antidepressants and antidepressant combinations that did not include paroxetine, in the first trimester of pregnancy, over the same period of time. The researchers report that there is a modest increased risk of congenital malformation (birth defects) in women who use paroxetine alone or in combination therapy during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Bottom line? Since often times you don't even know you're pregnant during that first trimester, if you are trying to conceive, or even having sex, and you are being treated for depression, it would be prudent to discuss an alternative to paroxetine with your caregiver.

Better safe than sorry!

Cole JA, Ephross SA, Cosmatos IS, Walker AM. Paroxetine in the first trimester and the prevalence of congenital malformations. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2007 Oct;16(10):1075-85. Comment in: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2007 Nov;16(11):1181-3.

I recently did a consultation with a young woman with a history of PCOS who was working with a reproductive endocrinologist to assist her with conception. I explained to her that even though she had chosen this route of treatment, nutrition could still be important to her overall success. Here is an important reason why.

Homocysteine is a marker of inflammation when elevated. High homocysteine levels can also interfere with brain development and promote congenital malformations in the developing fetus.

In a study done on rats in which elevated homocysteine levels were induced, the use of melatonin, a powerful anti-inflammatory/antioxidant, helped to reduce the incidence of learning disabilities seen in the offspring of rats with high homocysteine levels.

I cannot recommend the use of melatonin supplements during pregnancy as this is a preliminary study. However, I do know that the dietary pattern you see discussed on this blog is one that is correlated with reduced homocysteine levels. And…you know how much I talk about the importance of adequate sleep. If supplemental melatonin ends up to be beneficial, you can't deny that paying attention to your sleep patterns is a natural way to encourage the same outcome.

So we're not here just talking about how to get pregnant. It doesn't stop there, not at all! If you're going to go through all the expense and trouble to become pregnant, we want to be sure that once you get there, your pregnancy and the baby it produces are equally healthy.

Baydas G, Koz ST, Tuzcu M, Nedzvetsky VS. Melatonin prevents gestational hyperhomocysteinemia-associated alterations in neurobehavioral developments in rats. J Pineal Res. 2008 Mar;44(2):181-8.