(NaturalNews) New research from McMaster University in Canada has uncovered a correlation between fluoxetine, a chemical in popular antidepressants like Prozac, and pregnant woman.

Researchers recently discovered that pregnant women on antidepressants could be unknowingly jeopardizing the health of their unborn infants by predisposing them to obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. PhD student Nicole De Long presented the research findings at the International Society of Endocrinology and The Endocrine Society:

"We have demonstrated for the first time in an animal model that maternal use of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, resulted in increased fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver of the adult offspring, raising new concerns about the long-term metabolic complications in children born to women who take SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy."

Amazingly, although the study (in vivo) found that SSRI use during pregnancy was indeed correlated with fatty liver and other metabolic complications in adult offspring, no warnings or recommendations were issued advising pregnant women to avoid antidepressants during pregnancy!

Currently in the U.S, as many as 20 percent of pregnant women are prescribed antidepressants. Yet, how many of these pregnant women are adequately informed by their doctors about the potentially devastating health risks associated with antidepressant use during pregnancy?

How many of these women are aware of safe, effective, non-toxic options for treating depression during pregnancy?

More reasons pregnant women should never use antidepressants

Antidepressants increase miscarriages
Recent studies have found that pregnant women who used antidepressants were 68 percent more likely to have a miscarriage compared to pregnant women who did not take antidepressants (http://www.naturalnews.com).

Emotional disorders
A study demonstrated that serotonin exposure in young mice impaired their cerebral development, while other researchers have raised concerns regarding the correlation of SSRI medication use by pregnant women and young children due to the increased risk of emotional disorders later in life.

Antidepressants don't work
Irving Kirsh, an Associate Director of the Program in Placebo Studies and a lecturer in medicine at the Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reviewed unpublished studies that clearly showed positive antidepressant results were the same as placebos.

No doubt direct-to-consumer advertising (DTC) campaigns greatly fueled the public demand for Big Pharma's antidepressant "miracle" pills. The
often repeated claim was simple: depression could be alleviated by correcting a chemical imbalance in the brain caused by a deficiency of serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) responsible for that feel good feeling.

Judging by the numbers these campaigns were very successful. Approximately one in 10 Americans over the age of 12 are on antidepressants!

The chemical imbalance theory is now so deeply embedded in popular culture that it's not unusual to hear people talking openly about their need to "boost serotonin levels".

From an article titled "The Chemical Imbalance Myth" by Chris Kresser, a
licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of integrative medicine: "This clear and easy-to-follow theory is the driving force behind the $12 billion worth of antidepressant drugs sold each year."

But there is a major problem with this theory: there is absolutely no evidence to support it. Kresser continued, "Recent reviews of the research have demonstrated no link between depression or any other mental disorder and an imbalance of chemicals in the brain ..."

Adverse side effects

Not only are antidepressants ineffective, they come loaded with a host of serious and negative side effects including: dizziness, impotence, insomnia, gastrointestinal bleeding, weight gain, thickening of the arteries, permanent brain damage, increased suicide risk and violent behavior in both children and adults.

Other studies confirm that antidepressant use during pregnancy is not only harmful but can be life threatening. Some examples are: Serotonin Syndrome, Epileptiform Discharges, Epileptic Seizures and/or Epilepsy, Hypoglycaemia/Hyperglycemia, Stroke/Hemorrhagic Syndromes, Frontal Lobe Syndrome, Tardive Dyskinesia/Dystonia, Parkinsonism, Akathisia, Mania, etc.

Here are several studies for these serious ailments, mostly for offspring, from antidepressant use during pregnancy (http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/LongTermSSRI.htm).

Natural depression solutions

Expectant mothers should explore effective, holistic, low risk options for treating depression during pregnancy:

• Increase tomega-3 fatty acids
• Bright light therapy
• Optimize vitamin B intake
• Moderate exercise
• St. John's Wort (herb)
• Talk therapy
• Gentle yoga
• Optimizating vitamin D3
• Organic whole food diet of fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy fats
• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or Tapping Solutions
• Ensure maximum magnesium levels

Sources for this article include:

http://chriskresser.com/the-chemical-imbalance-myth

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/LongTermSSRI.htm

http://www.activistpost.com

http://www.thetappingsolution.com/what-is-eft-tapping/

http://chriskresser.com/the-dark-side-of-antidepressants

http://kellybroganmd.com

http://www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com/Non-drug_treatments.pdf