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Being pregnant can be a wonderful time in your life, but it can also be a cause for concern and worry if you're a woman taking antidepressants. Women are constantly counselled to avoid medication during pregnancy, but stopping antidepressant medication can be very dangerous to do. Not only that, the effects of antidepressants on an unborn foetus haven't been fully studied and while researchers offer caution, they don't have firm answers on medication for depression and pregnancy.
Suddenly halting antidepressant use can have a serious effect on a person. Plunging into profound depression is a high risk of stopping medication abruptly, and anyone taking antidepressants is constantly warned not to put aside their pills without first consulting a doctor and following a careful plan to wean off the medication.
Risking suicidal thoughts or severe depression most often outweighs the risk to baby's health, as one is greater than the other. For sure, this places pregnant women in a situation full of worry. If they don't stop their medication, will baby be safe? Will there be long-term consequences to their child because of antidepressant use during pregnancy?
The sedentary lifestyle of someone gripped by depression can be just as adverse to the unborn foetus as someone active and healthy who takes medication. Sometimes the risks must be carefully weighed, as a depressed woman may lose weight and eat very poorly or sleep too much, none of which has a healthy effect on an unborn baby.
Eating well and properly is very, very important to the proper development of a baby and when meals are skipped or are too small to provide the caloric intake a pregnant woman needs, baby will definitely suffer.
Antidepressant medication and pregnancy need to be weighed carefully, risk versus risk. Most medications on the market today have shown some adverse effects on unborn babies and the deeper scientists plunge, the less the outlook for antidepressants seems positive.
Paxil has been linked to heart defects when taken in the first three months of pregnancy and Prozac has shown to be correlated to a rare but serious lung problem when used in the latter months. Tricyclic medication is definitely one that has shown to have adverse effects on fetuses and doctors stay away from this type of antidepressant when a pregnant woman is concerned.
Having to weigh the pros and cons of your own health versus your baby's is extremely difficult. Many women have, however, effectively worked together with their doctor to find a plan for dealing with depression during pregnancy and some have certainly opted to take medication during that time of their lives.
Your doctor may be able to help you find alternative methods of dealing with your illness that doesn't involve medication or will monitor you closely throughout your term should you have to stay on antidepressants.
There is nothing like a new haircut or hair color, or pedicure and manicure to make you feel like a new woman. Especially when a pregnancy can leave you feeling tired and changing hormones can make you feel not quite yourself. But are these treatments safe for your developing baby? Exposure to certain environmental agents called teratogens during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Experts are divided on how much exposure is too much but at this time there are no proven risks for most salon visits and there are many things you can do to help minimize any potential problems.
Reducing your exposure to fumes is the most important thing you can do when getting a manicure. Ask your manicurist to do your nails in a well ventilated area and ask her to tightly cap all solvent bottles. Your nail polish should be formaldehyde and toluene free if possible. There is a small risk of blood-borne infections such as HIV or hepatitis being transferred by non-sterile equipment through nicks in the cuticle. When getting acrylic nails, make sure your nail technician is careful about minimizing the skin contact with the liquids used. Be most careful when in the first trimester.
Pedicures
Pedicure massages, especially when focused on reflex points on the feet can trigger labor. Avoid any kind of foot massage during the first trimester. Also avoid ankle massages even during the second and third trimester. Blood clots are six times more common in pregnant women. Foot and leg massages can dislodge clots if the pressure of the massage is too deep. The temperature of your foot bath should not be too hot. Again, your polish should be formaldehyde and toluene free if possible.
Essential Oils
Some essential oils known as emmenagogues can encourage menstruation and should be avoided during the first trimester. Make sure your pedicure technician knows which herbal oils are safe.
Hair Dye
Experts disagree on how much dye may be absorbed by the body and there are many doctors who think it's perfectly fine to get your hair dyed during pregnancy. You might want to be on the safe side and just get your hair frosted, highlighted or streaked where there is minimal contact with your scalp. Be wary of natural dyes that can still contain synthetic chemicals. Pure vegetable henna can be an alternative but not everybody will want a red-orange hue. If you do choose to have your hair dyed, be aware that changing hormones can affect the way the dye affects your hair color.
Tanning Beds
You should definitely pass on this salon treatment. Excessive heat exposure is dangerous for your pregnancy and over exposure to UV light can interfere with your immune system. There are salons and day spas that cater exclusively to pregnant women. For peace of mind, you may want to find a salon that understands your special needs during your pregnancy.