Cognitive behavioural therapy recommended for anxiety in pregnant women

Pregnancy ought to be a very natural sequence of events from the fertilization of the egg to giving birth, however, it can often be a very stressful and anxious time during which the woman undergoes great emotional change.

Due to these emotional changes, medication is sometimes required to treat anxiety disorders. Doctors are aware that psychotropic drugs readily cross the placenta and can have important health implications on the developing fetus. Therefore, it is necessary to balance the possible effects of taking medication against the potential adverse effects to both the mother and fetus if the anxiety is left untreated.

Since there is so little information available as to the effects of exposing the fetus to drugs such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants during pregnancy, researchers at the University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria in Australia have recommended that non-pharmacological treatments be used instead.

The study concludes that cognitive behavioural therapy should be employed whenever possible for the treatment of anxiety disorders during pregnancy and, if women have to resort to using medication, it should be prescribed in the lowest dose for the least amount of time.

Source : Treatment of anxiety during pregnancy: effects of psychotropic drug treatment on the developing fetus. McGrath C; Buist A; Norman TR Drug Saf, 20:171-86, 1999 Feb

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