Podcast Summary: Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey Episode: 1189 | SSRIs Are Rewiring Babies’ Brains — and Killing Their Moms
Guest: Dr. Adam Jurado
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host: Allie Beth Stuckey
Network: Blaze Podcast Network

Introduction

In episode 1189 of Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey, host Allie delves into a critical and timely topic: the impact of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) on pregnant women and their developing babies. Joining her is Dr. Adam Jurado, a Harvard-trained, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in maternal-fetal medicine. The conversation navigates the complexities of SSRI prescriptions during pregnancy, shedding light on their potential risks and the broader implications for maternal and fetal health.

Guest Background

[00:00] Allie introduces Dr. Adam Jurado, highlighting his expertise in maternal-fetal medicine and his focus on the increasing prescription of SSRIs during pregnancy. Dr. Jurado shares his professional journey:

[01:55] Dr. Jurado: “I’m a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Framingham, Massachusetts. After completing my OB-GYN residency, I’ve dedicated 28 years to caring for high-risk pregnancies, primarily through ultrasounds, counseling, and deliveries.”

His passion for labor and delivery mirrors his athletic background, drawing parallels between medical teamwork and sports dynamics.

[02:29] Allie: “What is your favorite part about what you do? Is it the delivery?”

[02:32] Dr. Jurado: “I love labor and delivery—the excitement, joy, and adrenaline. It’s like working towards the Super Bowl every shift.”

Evolution of Obstetrics: Increased Interventions

Over his nearly three-decade career, Dr. Jurado has observed a significant rise in medical interventions during pregnancy and childbirth. He expresses concern over the growing medicalization of what has been a natural process for millions of years.

[04:02] Allie: “What have you seen change in obstetrics over these 28 years?”

[04:11] Dr. Jurado: “There’s a trend towards more interventions—ultrasounds, medications, C-sections—often causing more harm than good by disrupting natural processes.”

He emphasizes that while interventions aim to prevent disasters like stillbirth, they frequently result in unnecessary procedures for the majority of women who might have had uncomplicated deliveries naturally.

Focus on SSRIs in Pregnancy

Dr. Jurado shifts the discussion to his primary concern: the rising use of SSRIs during pregnancy and their impact on both mothers and babies.

[15:28] Dr. Jurado: “The increasing use of medications during pregnancy reflects broader societal trends. In the U.S., we use about 70% of the world’s pharmaceuticals, spilling over into pregnancy care.”

Understanding SSRIs and Serotonin

Serotonin is a crucial neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation and fetal brain development. SSRIs, designed to inhibit serotonin reuptake, inadvertently disrupt this delicate balance.

[20:32] Dr. Jurado: “Serotonin is vital for fetal brain development, acting like an engineer directing cellular growth. SSRIs interfere with this process, impacting fetal development significantly.”

[24:43] Allie: “Is SSRI short for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor?”

[24:45] Dr. Jurado: “Yes, and the name itself indicates their effect—blocking serotonin receptors.”

Effects of SSRIs on Pregnancy and Babies

Dr. Jurado outlines the myriad ways SSRIs can adversely affect both pregnancy outcomes and long-term child development:

• Early Pregnancy Risks:

  • Miscarriage and Birth Defects: Increased rates of miscarriage and specific birth defects, such as heart defects associated with drugs like Paxil.

• Late Pregnancy and Delivery:

  • Preterm Birth and Preeclampsia: Higher incidences of preterm births and preeclampsia, a condition marked by high blood pressure and proteinuria.
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage: Elevated risks of excessive bleeding post-delivery due to SSRIs’ impact on platelet function.

• Neonatal and Long-Term Effects:

  • Neonatal Behavioral Syndrome: Symptoms include agitation, irritability, feeding difficulties, and temperature regulation issues; reported in up to 85% of exposed newborns.
  • Long-Term Developmental Issues: Increased rates of depression, anxiety, speech delays, and even behaviors associated with autism in children exposed to SSRIs in utero.
  • Sexual Functioning in Adults: Animal studies indicate reduced sexual behavior in adults exposed to SSRIs during fetal development.

[34:53] Dr. Jurado: “Animal data clearly show that SSRIs lead to poor pregnancy outcomes. In humans, we observe increased miscarriages, birth defects, and behavioral abnormalities in children.”

[41:35] Allie: “It’s really sad how these studies imply long-term consequences for children.”

Challenges in Medical Practice

Balancing maternal mental health with fetal safety presents a significant dilemma for healthcare providers. Dr. Jurado critiques the influence of the pharmaceutical industry and the medical establishment in perpetuating SSRI use despite the growing evidence of harm.

[30:00] Dr. Jurado: “The pharmaceutical industry is an 800-pound gorilla, shaping medical debates and influencing regulatory agencies like the FDA and CDC to promote their products over public health.”

He introduces the concept of “toxic empathy,” where the desire to alleviate a pregnant woman’s distress leads to the preferential promotion of medication over non-chemical interventions, often ignoring the associated risks.

[34:45] Allie: “Why aren't more doctors recognizing these risks?”

[47:05] Dr. Jurado: “They fear maternal mental health crises more than the long-term developmental issues caused by SSRIs. It’s a dangerous disconnect fueled by pharma’s influence.”

Call to Action: Reform and Awareness

Dr. Jurado advocates for systemic changes, including updated FDA labeling to reflect the risks of SSRIs during pregnancy and increased public awareness.

[58:46] Dr. Jurado: “The FDA’s current labeling is inadequate. We need clear warnings about SSRIs altering fetal brain development to inform pregnant women and providers adequately.”

He also highlights his efforts to petition the FDA and encourages listeners to support dissenting voices in the medical community to foster a more transparent and truthful discourse.

[60:45] Dr. Jurado: “We must support the free flow of information and dissenting voices to uncover the truth, rather than succumbing to censorship and misinformation.”

Case Study: Makena and Pharma Influence

Dr. Jurado recounts his opposition to the drug Makena, a synthetic hormone used to prevent preterm births. Initially promoted despite flawed studies, Makena remained on the market for 20 years due to pharmaceutical lobbying and misleading claims.

[62:53] Dr. Jurado: “Pharma used sales to fund medical societies, which then recommended Makena despite its inefficacy. It wasn’t until 2019 did follow-up studies reveal it didn’t work, leading to its market withdrawal in 2023.”

He criticizes the company’s argument to keep Makena on the market under the guise of racial equity, highlighting the unethical manipulation of medical narratives for profit.

[63:56] Dr. Jurado: “The argument for racial equity to keep an ineffective drug on the market is absurd and showcases pharma’s corrupt influence.”

Conclusion

The episode underscores the urgent need to re-evaluate the use of SSRIs during pregnancy, advocating for informed consent, better regulatory oversight, and a shift towards non-chemical interventions for maternal mental health. Dr. Jurado’s insights challenge the status quo, urging both medical professionals and the public to critically assess pharmaceutical influences and prioritize the long-term well-being of both mothers and their children.

[67:36] Allie: “Thank you for being one of those dissenting voices and for speaking up when it would be easier to go with the flow.”

[67:46] Dr. Jurado: “Thank you. It’s crucial to support informed decisions and expose the truth.”

Key Takeaways

• Increased SSRI Use: There has been a significant rise in SSRI prescriptions during pregnancy over the past 28 years, influenced heavily by the pharmaceutical industry.

• Serotonin’s Role: Serotonin is essential for fetal brain development, and SSRIs disrupt this process, leading to various negative outcomes.

• Risks Associated with SSRIs:

  • Higher rates of miscarriage, birth defects, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage.
  • Neonatal behavioral issues and long-term developmental and behavioral problems in children.

• Pharmaceutical Influence: The pharma industry exerts substantial control over medical practices and regulatory bodies, often at the expense of patient safety.

• Need for Reform: Updated FDA labeling, increased public awareness, and support for dissenting medical voices are crucial steps toward mitigating the risks associated with SSRI use during pregnancy.

• Non-Medical Interventions: Emphasizing psychotherapy, family support, exercise, and other non-chemical methods to address maternal mental health during pregnancy.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Jurado on Labor and Delivery:
  [02:32] “It’s like working towards the Super Bowl every shift.”

• On Medical Interventions:
  [04:11] “There’s a trend towards more interventions—ultrasounds, medications, C-sections—often causing more harm than good.”

• Pharma’s Influence:
  [30:00] “The pharmaceutical industry is an 800-pound gorilla, shaping medical debates and influencing regulatory agencies.”

• On SSRIs and Serotonin:
  [20:32] “Serotonin is vital for fetal brain development, acting like an engineer directing cellular growth. SSRIs interfere with this process.”

• Call for FDA Reform:
  [58:46] “We need clear warnings about SSRIs altering fetal brain development to inform pregnant women and providers adequately.”

• Critique of Makena:
  [63:56] “The argument for racial equity to keep an ineffective drug on the market is absurd and showcases pharma’s corrupt influence.”

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting Dr. Jurado’s concerns about SSRI use during pregnancy, the influence of the pharmaceutical industry, and the pressing need for informed consent and regulatory reform to protect maternal and fetal health.