447: What the FDA Panel Got Wrong About Antidepressants in Pregnancy

Our conversation today is on the recent FDA panel about the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy—and all the ways the panel got it wrong. It’s not just about wrong information, but it’s about the harm that wrong information does to people in the perinatal period. Join us to learn more about why this information from the FDA is so dangerous to women.  Dr. Catherine Birndorf is a reproductive psychiatrist and the CEO, founder, and medical director of The Motherhood Center of New York. Dr. Birndorf is a founding director of the Payne Whitney Women’s Program at Weill Cornell Medical Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where she is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry. A graduate of Smith College, Dr. Birndorf attended Brown University Medical School and did her psychiatry residency at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. For 10 years, Dr. Birndorf was a regular mental health columnist for Self Magazine and appeared on numerous television programs, including the Today Show, Good Morning America, MSNBC, and CNN. Her most recent book, What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2019. Show Highlights: Dr. Birndorf’s perspective on the FDA panel and their decisions: “I knew this was a disaster in the making.” The FDA panel was made up of 10 “experts” (8 men/2 women) who were biased and stacked against medication and mental illness. Women have been suffering, and they continue to suffer. The work of The Motherhood Center in supporting women who need help through mental illness The potential for harm is HUGE.  What Dr. Birndorf wants people to know about mental illness and life-saving medications Dr. Birndorf’s motivation to start The Motherhood Center Highlights of the support provided for women through The Motherhood Center The ways we “mother” have impacts on the generations to come; no mother should suffer with mental illness when transformation is possible. The Motherhood Center focuses on all the therapies and interventions that bring wellness, not just medications.  Resources: Connect with Dr. Catherine Birndorf: Website, Instagram, Facebook, and What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773.  There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services. You can also follow PSI on social media, including Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms. Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices