Postpartum depression is finally part of the public conversation. Celebrities talk about it. Influencers post raw, vulnerable reels. OBs screen for it during checkups. That’s real progress.
But while we’re talking more about maternal mental health, we’re still missing a big part of the picture: what happens to the baby when antidepressants are used during pregnancy.
It’s called Neonatal Adaptation Syndrome (NAS) —and if you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. Up to 30% of babies exposed to antidepressants in the womb show symptoms of NAS after birth. And yet most mothers are never warned, even when the medication is prescribed late in pregnancy.
Let’s Be Clear: This Is Not Your Fault
If you’ve taken medication during pregnancy, or are currently on it, this is not a guilt trip. This is not another “what you should’ve done” post.
This is about the system —not you.
This is about how mothers are too often given partial information, vague reassurances, and no real options. You deserve more than that. We all do.
“Safe During Pregnancy” Doesn’t Mean What You Think
When a struggling pregnant woman speaks up, the response is usually swift and well-meaning:
“You don’t have to suffer. These medications are totally safe during pregnancy.”
And sometimes, medication is absolutely the right choice. Depression during pregnancy is real, and for some, it's life-threatening.
But here’s the issue: the word “safe” gets thrown around like a magic shield.
What most moms hear is: “safe for my baby.”
What’s actually meant is: “not proven to cause birth defects.”
That’s a very different standard.
What rarely gets mentioned is that SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) —a common class of antidepressants—can affect the baby’s nervous system, especially when used in the third trimester.
That’s where Neonatal Adaptation Syndrome comes in.
What Is NAS?
NAS is a cluster of symptoms seen in newborns exposed to antidepressants in utero.
The symptoms usually appear within the first few days of life and may include:
Shaking or tremors
Difficulty feeding
Rapid breathing
Persistent crying or irritability
Stiffness or jitteriness
Trouble regulating body temperature
Low blood sugar
Prolonged NICU stays
Sound alarming? It can be. But too often, it’s brushed off as “temporary” or “no big deal.”
Doctors will describe it as “transient and self-limiting” —meaning it goes away eventually. But to a mom watching her newborn struggle to breathe, cry nonstop, or remain in the NICU for days... it doesn’t feel so minor.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. You were acting on the best information you had. But you can ask for better care going forward—and help normalize this conversation for other moms too.”
What the Research Actually Shows
A 2012 Lancet study reported that up to 30% of babies exposed to SSRIs in late pregnancy showed symptoms of NAS.
A 2013 review in JAMA Pediatrics found that NAS symptoms often lead to unnecessary testing, extended monitoring, formula supplementation, and interference with early breastfeeding.
These babies almost always recover fully. But that doesn’t make the experience less traumatic—especially when no one saw it coming.
So why is NAS barely mentioned?
Maybe it’s fear—of stigma, of lawsuits, of deterring moms from seeking treatment. Maybe it’s because doctors are following pharmaceutical guidance that focuses more on risks of untreated depression than the effects of medication .
Or maybe it’s just the easier conversation. But here’s the truth:
Silence doesn’t protect moms. It leaves them blindsided.
This Is About Informed Consent
Too many moms say the same thing:
“No one told me.”
“I thought the meds were safe for the baby.”
“I would’ve asked more questions if I knew.”
This isn’t about second-guessing your choices. This is about having choices in the first place.
You deserve full information—not just the parts that are convenient to share. That’s not fearmongering. That’s respect.
What Doctors Should Be Saying
“This medication may help. It’s safe in many ways, but about one-third of babies exposed during the third trimester may experience withdrawal-like symptoms after birth. Most recover fully. Still, let’s talk about your options and make a plan that feels right for both you and your baby.”
That’s not scary. That’s honest.
What You Can Do
If you're pregnant and considering antidepressants:
Ask about NAS and the specific risks for your medication
Explore therapy, nutrition, or supplements if they’re appropriate
Make a postpartum support plan that includes your baby’s potential needs too
If you're already on medication:
You didn’t do anything wrong. You were acting on the best information you had.
But you can ask for better care going forward—and help normalize this conversation for other moms too.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t about blaming mothers. This is about expecting more from the system that cares for them.
Your baby matters. So do you. And so does your right to know everything— not just what fits the narrative .
Let’s stop pretending that silence is protection. Let’s start demanding care that actually supports both mother and child.
Because moms can handle the truth.
And our babies deserve a world where that truth isn’t buried in footnotes.