Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey

Ep 1189 | SSRIs Are Rewiring Babies’ Brains — and Killing Their Moms | Guest: Dr. Adam Urato

May 14, 2025
Guest
Adam Urato
In this discussion, Dr. Adam Urato, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, highlights the critical lack of informed consent regarding SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy. He explains how serotonin affects fetal development and the potential negative impacts of SSRIs on unborn children. The conversation also addresses the rise in medical interventions in pregnancy and questions whether the pharmaceutical industry contributes to doctors' indifference about these risks. Dr. Urato advocates for more compassionate care and awareness for expectant mothers facing mental health challenges.
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INSIGHT

Serotonin’s Crucial Fetal Role

  • Serotonin is vital for fetal brain wiring and organ development.
  • SSRIs disrupt serotonin signaling everywhere in the body, not just the brain, impacting fetal growth and development negatively.
INSIGHT

SSRIs Don’t Fix Imbalance

  • The “chemical imbalance” explanation for depression and SSRIs is a marketing narrative without scientific support.
  • SSRIs create an altered brain state rather than correcting a serotonin deficiency.
ADVICE

Give Honest SSRI Risk Counseling

  • Doctors and patients must receive accurate info about SSRIs' risks in pregnancy, not pharma marketing.
  • Avoid “toxic empathy” that prioritizes feelings over honest risk assessment and informed consent.
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