Ten percent of pregnant women will experience clinical depression, and when they do, it is important to address the depression from an informed position. Doctors have known for many years that maternal depression during a young infant’s life can adversely affect that child for months and even years. Recent research demonstrates that untreated maternal depression during pregnancy can also have negative effects on the growing fetus. These include low birth weight, failure to develop at a normal pace, poor attachment and even behavioral and learning problems years later. Because of these possible negative affects on the child, as well as the affects on the mother, it is important to treat clinical depression in pregnancy. If the depression is mild and/or can be quickly ameliorated with psychotherapy, talk therapy is an excellent option. Often though, medications are necessary. While no antidepressant is 100% safe, psychiatrists are gaining significant knowledge about these medications as more studies are done. Literally thousands of babies have been exposed to various medications during the mother’s pregnancy. An informed decision is made in concert with the parents, the Ob/Gyn and a psychiatrist. Now that we realize there are untoward effects of depression on the developing baby, that needs to be accounted for when weighing the risks and benefits of any potential treatment.