Brentwood, TN – A recent study that is getting a lot of attention about antidepressants (AD) and a possible link to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), may be bringing about worry and confusion among moms-to-be, according to MotherToBaby experts who study a variety of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

“Questions are coming in to us, so we really wanted to reassure moms that this study doesn’t prove anything. It’s not the whole story,” said Robert Felix, MotherToBaby President. The study, Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children, has suggested a link between taking antidepressants during the second or third trimester of pregnancy and an increased risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder.

“It’s important to remember that this is one study, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions,” said Felix. “While it adds to the information on the use of these medications in pregnancy, it’s not proof that use of antidepressants will lead to ASD.” Felix points out other recent studies which have not found a link to ASD. While a mother’s mental illness may play a role, it is very important to treat her illness. Untreated mental illness may cause problems for the mom, the pregnancy and the developing baby.

“What we do know for sure is that a pregnant woman should not change her medication without talking to her health care provider first,” he added.

If you have heard about or read the new study on antidepressants and autism and are concerned, please contact MotherToBaby at 1-866-626-6847. You can also text questions to us at 855-999-3525 or read our evidence-based information fact sheets on SSRI medications.

MotherToBaby Launches Unique ‘Text Counseling’ for Reliable Info About Exposure Risks to Baby

BRENTWOOD, TN – As the world prepares to recognize Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day on September 9th, MotherToBaby, a service of the international non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), launches a way for expectant moms to have free expert information about the risks of alcohol and other exposures to baby at their fingertips – via text.

“The risks to baby of being exposed to things like alcohol, drugs or medications during a woman’s pregnancy or breastfeeding can really vary depending on mom’s metabolism, timing of the exposure, and whole host of other factors,” said Lori Wolfe, MS, a certified genetic counselor and director of MotherToBaby’s North Texas affiliate. “Mom really needs the latest information tailored to her particular circumstance in order to make informed decisions, along with her health care provider, about her and baby’s health. We’re now offering that research-based info in the most convenient way possible,” she added.

Expecting moms will simply need to text their questions in English or Spanish to 855-999-3525 to be connected to a bilingual specialist in the field of teratology – the study of exposures that cause birth defects. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on an individual’s phone plan. Those who do use the new texting service are encouraged to check with their carrier first.

“When someone goes searching the internet, it can be a scary place that often highlights worst-case scenarios only,” explained Al Romeo, RN, PhD and teratogen information specialist at MotherToBaby’s Utah affiliate. “We’re not the internet. We’re registered nurses, genetic counselors and teratogen information specialists on the other end of your cell phone answering texts with the most up-to-date evidence you often can’t find online.”

MotherToBaby, which consists of 14 services housed at universities, hospitals and government institutions across the country, provides free, evidence-based, personalized risk assessments, education and counseling regarding the effects of exposures like prescription and over-the-counter drugs, alcohol, smoking, illicit substances, vaccines, beauty products, herbal supplements, chemicals and more during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. In addition to the new text counseling component, the public can be connected with a bilingual MotherToBaby expert by calling toll-free 1-866-626-6847. The MotherToBaby website also houses a library of fact sheets located at www.MotherToBaby.org.

More than 100,000 women and their health care providers seek information about birth defects prevention from MotherToBaby every year. MotherToBaby has been able to launch new outreach efforts to reach underserved populations, including new communication technologies, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

About FASD Awareness Day

FASD Awareness Day has been recognized on the ninth day of the ninth month since 1999 as a reminder for women to abstain from drinking alcohol during the nine months of pregnancy. As many as 1 out of every 100 babies are estimated to be affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, which can result in a range of neurobehavioral disabilities. FASD awareness events also traditionally take place across the nation all month long each September.

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Media Contact: Nicole Chavez, 619-368-3259, nchavez@MotherToBaby.org. Interviews in Spanish can also be arranged.

Free, personalized, and confidential exposure information services

Please use this form to email a MotherToBaby expert. Our information specialists can help answer your questions or concerns about exposures (like a medication, vaccine, chemical, or health condition) during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Our information specialists are available for consultation from Monday through Friday from 8 am – 7 pm ET. If it is after-hours, please expect a reply by the next business day. We look forward to hearing from you!

You can also reach us

Call | 866.626.6847 | Toll-free
Text | 855.999.3525 | Standard messaging rates may apply
Chat | Click the Live Chat window in the bottom corner of your screen

NOTE. MotherToBaby counseling services are available only for residents of the United States and its territories. For pregnancy and breastfeeding exposure information services that are available in other regions of the world, please visit: https://mothertobaby.org/international/. If you experience any issues using our Email An Expert form (e.g., a zip code error), please notify us by sending an email to ContactUs@mothertobaby.org. In that event, you can reach one of our experts via the following alternative methods. Please use our alternative forms, if you are a resident of the United States, the U.S. territories, or Canada and would like to join a pregnancy study or refer a patient to a study.

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Administrative, Media, Partnership, and Membership Inquiries

For media and partnership inquiries, please contact Nicole Chavez:

Phone | 619.368.3259
Email | nchavez@mothertobaby.org

For research sponsorship or trade show exhibition inquiries, please contact MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies:

Phone | 877.311.8972
Email | MotherToBaby@health.ucsd.edu

For international organizations dedicated to birth defects prevention, please visit our International page.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Provides 24/7 Support Before, During, and After Pregnancy

BRENTWOOD, TN – MotherToBaby, a no-cost service of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) that educates the public about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, proudly announces a new partnership to further support maternal mental health with the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (NMMHH).

NMMHH provides perinatal mental health support through their toll-free phone line, 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). The hotline was established in 2022 on Mother’s Day, during May’s Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. Over the course of the first year of operation, the hotline reports that the top reasons people contacted its service included depression, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, issues related to pregnancy, and relationship conflict. “From our vantage point, the data resonates as the day-to-day experiences individuals have before, during and after pregnancy,” explained Tiffany J. Williams, project director for NMMHH. “We know that early intervention, trauma-informed support, and resources/referrals establish individuals for continued success in their maternal mental health journeys – this is why it is imperative to prioritize seeking support and professional help,” she added.  

MotherToBaby has become the leader in birth defects research, and has been available to the public for more than 30 years. During that time, MotherToBaby specialists have answered questions from the public about medications, vaccines, beauty products, herbal supplements, workplace exposures and much more during pregnancy and breastfeeding via its helpline 866-626-6847, text line 855-999-3525, email and live chat on MotherToBaby.org.

MotherToBaby and NMMHH have partnered by establishing a bidirectional referral and warm transfer process specifically to address the growing demand for perinatal mental health support. “It’s a win-win for those we serve,” said Lorrie Harris-Sagaribay, MPH, a bilingual teratogen information specialist and the OTIS/MotherToBaby President-Elect. “Regardless of whether a person reaches out first to MotherToBaby about specific medications for mental health, or to NMMHH about emotional support for mental health, they can be assured of greater access to personalized information from highly trained experts from both services, free of charge.”

Both NMMHH and MotherToBaby services are available in English and in Spanish. To learn more about NMMHH, please visit https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline.  To learn more about MotherToBaby and browse its library of fact sheets, blogs and podcasts, please visit www.MotherToBaby.org.

MotherToBaby is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $6,000,000 with zero percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents of this release are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. To learn more about MotherToBaby and OTIS, please visit www.MotherToBaby.org.  

Media Contact: Nicole Chavez, 619-368-3259, nchavez@mothertobaby.org