Addressing the Use of Antidepressants in the Preconception Period

Depression affects many individuals who desire pregnancy, peaking during the reproductive years. Black, Latine, Indigenous, and Asian American individuals are at increased risk for depression due to inequitable distribution of structural and social determinants of health, resulting in poorer perinatal and neonatal health outcomes. The preconception visit is ideal for comprehensive mental health screening alongside referrals to supportive care measures. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) should conduct a thorough medication reconciliation to assess risks during the preconception period, pregnancy, and related to newborn feeding. When weighed against the risk of untreated or undertreated depression, minimal risk associated with antidepressants may be well worth it. As part of a collaborative, multispecialty team, APNs can help patients determine a plan that works for them, informed by best practice, to optimize patients' health and wellness through the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods. [<i>Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 63</i>(5), 9-12.].