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Did you have postpartum depression after your second pregnancy?
Psychiatrists who specialize in the treatment of postpartum psychiatric disorders generally agree that, for patients at the highest risk of depression, the benefits of antidepressants tend to outweigh the risks during pregnancy and after. This is true for both SSRI antidepressants as well as older tricyclic antidepressants, though the decision to medicate should always be made carefully, in consultation with one or more medical experts.
"Approach a second pregnancy with your eyes wide open and remember that it's almost never as bad the second time as it is the first," says Dr. Nonacs, who adds that women who've had severe PMS may be at higher risk for postpartum depression. "You can't stop that genetic or hormonal ball from rolling, but having your ducks lined up in advance can be protective."
