Stopping Antidepressants During Pregnancy Can Pose Health Risks

New research shows pregnant women who discontinue antidepressants are nearly twice as likely to have a mental health emergency.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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New research presented at the annual conference of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine suggests that when pregnant women stop taking their antidepressants, they are nearly twice as likely to have a mental health emergency as those who continue to take their medication. The study, which examined data from Pennsylvania, found that a majority of women stopped taking their antidepressants during pregnancy, resulting in over 500 more emergency department visits for behavioral health reasons compared to those who kept taking the drugs.

Why it matters

The research highlights the significant risks of stopping antidepressant medication during pregnancy, which is a common occurrence despite medical guidance. Untreated mental illness in pregnancy can have serious consequences for both the mother and baby, including increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal suicide.

The details

The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, used private insurance and pharmacy claims data to examine the medical histories of more than 1,400 women who had a baby in 2023 or 2024. Each of the women had been diagnosed with anxiety or depression and were already taking an antidepressant before becoming pregnant. The data showed that a majority of women stopped taking their antidepressants during pregnancy, and those who discontinued their medication had over 500 more emergency department visits for behavioral health reasons than those who kept taking the drugs.

  • The research was presented at the annual conference of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in 2026.

The players

Dr. Kelly B. Zafman

A maternal fetal medicine fellow at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the lead researcher on the study.

Sarah Bynum

A 34-year-old mother of four from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania who has been on antidepressants since she was a teenager.

Paige Bellenbaum

A 52-year-old clinical social worker whose mental illness after the birth of her son inspired her to become a perinatal mental health expert.

Shawnnae Anderson

A 27-year-old woman from Queens, New York who decided to stop taking psychiatric drugs when she found out she was pregnant.

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What they’re saying

“We emphasize medication risks in pregnancy a lot. But the part that the medical establishment doesn't do a good job of explaining, is that there are really significant risks of stopping medications.”

— Dr. Kelly B. Zafman, Maternal fetal medicine fellow (San Francisco Chronicle)

“If I hadn't gotten treatment, there's a good chance I wouldn't have been here anymore.”

— Paige Bellenbaum, Clinical social worker (Instagram)

“I need to be well to take care of my baby.”

— Shawnnae Anderson (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This research highlights the significant risks of stopping antidepressant medication during pregnancy, which can have serious consequences for the mother's mental health and the baby's wellbeing. It underscores the importance of working closely with healthcare providers to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of medication use during pregnancy.