Meghan Trainor was at the hospital with her son Riley in intensive care when, according to her, the questions began. Again and again: Did you take antidepressants during your pregnancy?
Yes, she took them, the singer told Romper and PEOPLE in an interview in September 2022. At the lowest possible dose, and with the approval of all her doctors, who assured her they wouldn’t affect the baby. Riley was born by C-section on February 8, 2021. He didn’t cry when he was born, had trouble breathing, and she was only allowed to see him for a second before he was taken to the NICU.
Afterward, the baby barely woke up and had trouble feeding. According to Trainor, no one knew how to identify what was happening, and some nurses suggested that her antidepressants had contributed. Riley is healthy now.
Dr. Lauren Osborne of the Johns Hopkins Women’s Mood Disorders Center has explained that we can say with a high degree of confidence that antidepressants do not cause birth defects. But that comment, made to an exhausted and frightened mother, raises an uncomfortable question.
Is it appropriate for healthcare staff to raise hypotheses like that, or does it place the blame on the person who needs the most support? Which side are you on?