Taking Anti-Depressants throughout pregnancy

[AnnaDavidson]

I have just found out that I am pregnant with baby #2. I am currently taking paroxatine tablets (also called Aropax, Paxtine) for post natal depression. I thought I'd be fine but now I'm freaked out at the idea of going off them cause I don't want to head down that downward spiral again. The tablets are SSRI's wwhich are supposed to be the safest during pregnancy. Has anyone out there stayed on them throughout their pregnancy's and has there been any adverse affect on the baby??? :confused:

[sopolicha]

Prior to my first pregnancy about 4 years ago I had bouts of major depression on and off. I would talk to your Doctor asap, because during the pregnancy the only anti-depressants that I was prescribed were the older types because they knew what effects they had on the pregnancy and if they crossed the placenta (?)

I was told that the new SSRI's have not been around long enough and studied enough to fully know what effect, if any it might have on your baby. Also read the information leaflet that comes with the tablets or look on the internet, but I am certain that it contains something like 'consult your doctor if taking this medication whilst pregnant' or something along those lines.

Good Luck, it can be really hard to let go of the tablets, especially if you have been feeling better and you are aware that you might be prone to depression.

[justtwogirls22]

im not exactly sure what strength your tablets are but my doctor put me on cipromil to deal with panic attacks (its an anti depressant) i made sure it was totally safe before taking it - it really helped & i weaned myself off them by the time by baby was born

[melasuras]

hi
im currently 30wks and 3 days and i started to take anti-depressants when i was 28 wks the name of them is zoloft which i have been told are the safest whilst pregnant by both my gp and my sons health sister and my baby dr! and im first to admit they r helping me even a couple of my close friends said that i dont look as stressed out any more im only taking 25mg a day ( thats just to take the edge of the stress) cos my hubby is on work cover and the insurance company are a pack of assholes any who hope this helps

Mum of jason and plus 1

[justtwogirls22]

i was told zoloft wasn't safe during pregnancy - my dr had some journal thingy & cipromil was the AD they recommend while breastfeed - maybe it varies state to state

[Elijahs_Mum]

I was on zoloft at the begining of my preggie and my baby is fine. I know that it is not a strong strenght but he is all good

[kamckellar]

I Was On Zoloft When I Found Out I Was Pregnant With My Twins.as It Was A Stressful Preg,i Was Given A 50-50 Chance Of Carrying Them As They Were Monoamniotic-monochorioinc.same Sak,with 13 Knots In Their Umbilical Cords.i Went On To Have My Bubs At 11wks Prem As They Went Into Distress Because Of The Knots.after 17 Wks In Hospital With My Bubs The Anxiety And Stress Took Over Me.my Wonderful Gp Changed My Tablets To Lexapro 20mg.i Am A New Person.i Continued To Breast Feed My Girls And My Gp Said They Were Safe.when I Was On Zoloft My Dr Said That The Side Affects If Any,were Nothing Compared To My Wellbeing.you Have To Weigh Up The Side Affects And Work Out What Is Best For U And Bubs.only Your Doc Can Help U There.my Girls Are Fine With No Side Affects From The Zoloft (thru Preg) Or The Lexapro(thru Breastfeeding). Take Care Isla And Keelys Mum. :)

[WeThree]

im not sure about anti depressents in pregnancy, but i was put on cipramil and i am breastfeeding, the midwife recommended to me that i take it in the morning just before her morning feed, feed her and then her next feed is a few hrs after this, thus what passes throughh the milk is minimal, they also often recommend this when taking antibiotics etc when breastfeeding. the trick for you is finding a fabulous gp/ob gyn that you trust and you can talk to about all this, alot of doctors are clued up on this sort of thing and some are not so much. Its ok for some man to say 'your stupid if you take them when pregnant' but how could he possibly understand what it is like when you have other demanding small children to take care of, and a household to run, and a husband who want your time/wants a nice dinner when he comes home etc and your suffering from severe post natal depression! all this is not possible when one min your in the depths of despair and the next your constantly worrying that someone is going to break in and hurt your children(just my experience with pnd) dont listen to this so called 'expert' i find it offensive that he even thinks he could ever possibly understand. all anti deppressents may very well be bad for you in pregnancy, but im sure there have been millions of woman who have given birth to healthy babies whilst on anti depressants and were also able to stay sane! you are not just a baby making machine and you need to look after your own mental and physical health as well, as well as your other children. find a trusted health professional and get the facts, and make sure you share with the rest of us what you have learnt! good luck!

[kamckellar]

My Gp Refered Me To A Psychiatrist And I Still Under Go Sessions From Time To Time When He Put Me Onto Anti D's.i Had A Thorough Physical And Blood Tests To Rule Out Other Conditions.i Was Unbearable To Live With But I Didnt Have Thoughts To End My Life Or My Childrens.i Couldnt Sleep,i Lost 32 Kg In Weight,my Marriage Broke Down And Id Just Misscarried Twins,i Had The Shakes,my Hair Was Falling Out And I Just Couldnt Eat.i Cried At Anything And Everything.i Wouldnt Wish It On Anybody.when I Fell Preg With My Twins The Benefits Of The Drug Far Out Weighed The Side Effects.my Gp Is A Trusted And Well Known Member Of The Community.he Does Not Take Writing Scripts Lightly.he Researches And Gives All Information He Can Find To Me.he Makes Sure I Have Constant Follow Up Appointments.i Dont Believe ''smash" Just Because You Studied And Have A Condition You Can Dictate That A Woman Should Not Take Anti D's.you Can Not Go Thru Pnd Nor Will You Know What Its Like To Be On A Medication While Pregnant.only A Trusted Gp Or Gyn/ob Can Guide A Woman Thru.

[Lucybelle]

Smash has a very good point. No-one is talking about birth defects here, but the long term side effects of anti-ds on the brain chemistry of a developing baby.

I agree that GP's can thrash out scripts left, right and centre, and they are not necesarrily qualified to judge somebodys mental health status. This should be done by someone qualified in this area. Lucky you mckellar that you have a GP this committed.

I suppose the moral of the story is to seek further help from a specialist, and do your research.

[Kelllleigh]

I have been using anti depressants for many years now. I was on aropax when I found out that I was pregnant with my first. I was advised to stop as there was an increased risk of miscarriage that had been noticed in studies conducted on animals. No studies or results on humans as these drugs are only reliatively new.

I am now pregnant with number three and have statred taking Lexapro once again. I started at 20 weeks as from this point all development of baby has finished and and baby is just growing now preparing for birth. I was informed by my Ob and a paed that this is the safest time in pregnacy for needed medication.

There have been no birth defects noted with Lexapro. There may be a risk of premature delivery but this can be monitered. There could also be a chance of the newborn suffering widthdrawel, but only a chance. This would only last a few days and in the scheme of things is not that big a deal as stated from my Ob and Paed.

I have wieghed up the risks and decided that for my children, husband and my new baby I am better of on my medication.

Hope this helps.