Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Depression that occurs during pregnancy or after delivering a baby is called perinatal depression. It affects about 10-15% of Canadian women and is associated with increased risk for maternal suicide, babies being born with low birth-weight, and problems in mother-infant bonding. While anti-depressants have been shown to be effective in treating depression, these medications may pose a health risk to the developing baby when taken by women during pregnancy. It is difficult for clinicians to help women choose the antidepressant medication and dose that will be best for them in the context of pregnancy, because there is very little research about this. So, mothers who experience perinatal depression or who are at high risk for perinatal depression face a difficult decision about what to do. This research aims to help women make these decisions about whether to take medication for depression during pregnancy. First, we will interview women about their experiences of making this decision. Through their stories, we will develop a theoretical model to explain how women make this decision and we will use this model to develop a tool that will allow clinicians to help women who are facing the decision of whether or not to take antidepressant medications during pregnancy. Second, we will look at genetic differences that might affect how women's bodies metabolize antidepressant medications during pregnancy. By looking at this, we will advance our understanding of the relationships between a woman's genetic make-up, her antidepressant medication, and the symptoms of depression she experiences during pregnancy. The long-term goal is to enhance the mental health of Canadian women through personalizing treatment for depression during pregnancy.