you asked... Paxil and getting pregnant? Can Paxil affect my chances of getting pregnant? Want to participate? Log in to share your thoughts Re: Can Paxil affect my chances of getting pregnant? Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that’s prescribed as an antidepressant. It’s not thought to affect fertility or compromise your ability to get pregnant, but the medication may carry some risks during pregnancy itself. A few years ago, the FDA issued a warning that women who take the medication during the first trimester were about 1.5 to 2 times more likely to have a baby with a heart defect. Other SSRI medications have not been shown to produce similar risks. If you’re on Paxil and thinking about starting a family, talk to your doctor about switching to another antidepressant or changing to a different type of treatment altogether before trying to conceive. Plus, more from The Bump: What to know about depression before you get pregnant Antidepressants and fertility Trying to Get Pregnant John Rinehart, MD, PhD, Reproductive Medicine Institute, Chicago Want to participate? Log in to share your thoughts