There's no randomized controlled trials of SSRIs in pregnancy...

A graduate student bravely writing out the informed consent for a randomized controlled trial of SSRIs in pregnant women.

There's no randomized controlled trials of SSRIs in pregnancy... You don’t need any type of degree to figure this out. There are no randomized controlled trials of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) in pregnancy because there is no ethics board that will approve randomly assigning treatment or placebo to pregnant people without their knowledge. The ethical implications of conducting such trials are profound and complex.

In medical research, particularly when it involves vulnerable populations like pregnant individuals, the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, and informed consent come into play. You can’t tell a pregnant person you are treating them and withhold treatment via a placebo, as it raises significant moral questions about the welfare of both the mother and the developing fetus. Medical ethics still apply to pregnant people last time I checked!

The potential risks and benefits of administering SSRIs during pregnancy must be carefully weighed, and the absence of randomized controlled trials means that healthcare providers often rely on observational studies and existing literature to guide their decisions. This lack of definitive evidence can lead to uncertainty and anxiety for both patients and practitioners, making it crucial for healthcare professionals to engage in open discussions with their patients about the available options, the potential risks involved, and the importance of individualized care based on each person's unique circumstances and health history.

EDIT* After creating my initial post, one of my fellow Reproductive Psychiatrists pointed out that some advocates are moving towards doing randomized controlled trials of SSRIs in pregnant women. I'm going to sit this battle out and leave it to the nerdy ethicists because it would be nice to have this form of data on pregnant women, but who is going to approve this? Can you imagine writing up that informed consent for the study?

#birthing #birthingpartner #momlife #pregnant #pregnancy #ssri