Mood and anxiety disorders are common in women during their childbearing years. 
The prevalence of depression has been reported to be between 10% and 16% during 
pregnancy. The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy 
or lactation is, to date, not promoted because of lack of safety documentation. 
However, the off-label use of these drugs has been common for several years. In 
the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy, the serotonin 
reuptake inhibitors are often preferred over tricyclic antidepressants because 
of their relatively few adverse effects and safety in overdose. This has created 
concern among women planning pregnancies and pregnant women, as well as among 
their families and physicians. Several studies and reports of the use of 
serotonin reuptake inhibitors during both pregnancy and lactation have been 
published and advanced our knowledge. We here review and discuss those studies 
which have been published so far on this subject.