Antidepressants linked to risk of postpartum bleeding

摘要

PREGNANT women could be at higher risk of postpartum bleeding if they are taking antidepressants, suggest the findings of a large US study published in the BMJ last month (online 21 August 2013). However, a UK pharmacist has warned against witholding antidepressants from pregnant women. "It is important to remember that although maternal deaths from postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) always feature in the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the UK triennial reports, deaths from psychiatric causes are one of the leading indirect causes. It is therefore important that use of antidepressants in pregnancy and postpartum is not withheld and that mental well-being in pregnancy and postpartum is monitored and supported," said Jane Bass, senior pharmacist for women's services at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Pharmaceutical Society spokeswoman on women's health.