Silent currents of healing: The role of rTMS in treating depression during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: This article highlights the potential of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in treating antenatal depression (AD), particularly in pregnant individuals for whom standard treatments are limited due to psychological and pharmacological concerns. AD often goes underrecognized and undertreated, despite serious risks to maternal and fetal health. METHODS: We present a case report of a pregnant patient with chronic, recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) who received rTMS using an intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol. Treatment was safely administered and well tolerated during pregnancy. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). RESULTS: The patient showed rapid, sustained improvement in depressive and anxiety symptoms, with no adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests that rTMS, particularly iTBS, may represent a promising and well-tolerated non-pharmacological option for antenatal depression in selected patients. However, conclusions regarding efficacy and safety remain limited by the single-case design and require confirmation in larger controlled studies.