Q: Is it okay to take antidepressants during my first trimester?

A: It's important to weigh the risks and benefits with your doctor. Although the baby's organs are developing during the first trimester, "at this point, the data on SSRIs, TCAs, and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) do not suggest a clear increase in risk of birth defects," says Stephanie Ho, M.D., a reproductive psychiatrist in private practice in New York City. Two small studies have suggested that antidepressants may slightly increase the risk of miscarriage, but the studies were not able to rule out whether the underlying depression played a role. "Untreated depression has been associated with early pregnancy loss," she adds.