Anti-depressants In Pregnancy

**MammyMammy** · 19-10-2006 15:51

Hi,

My sister has suffered from depression for many years and has been on an antidepressant for a few years. She tried a couple of times to lower her dosage, which had its sucesses, but she cannot come off totally without having horrible feelings, thoughts, and all the other things that go with suffering depression. Lucky for me, I cannot even comprehend what these feelings may be like. I've had depression at times in my life but nothing that didnt blow over after a few weeks or months.

So she is now wanting to start a family soon, and simply cannot find information on being able to stay on the medication throughout and beyond the pregnancy. Her risks would be higher, not significant enough though, to consider not having a family at all, or worse, coming off the medication altogether and risk feeling so bad that the result could be worse for mother and baby than if she had stayed on medication.

There are not a lot of places where you'll actually see it written that it's ok to stay on meds, its pretty much Taboo...but there must be people out there with similar stories, concerns, experiences??

This is an issue that is very near to my heart, so I am asking any BubHubbers to please help her with any informaton, wesites, person experiences of this kind, or referals to Obstetricians (in Melb) with a special interest in this issue.

Thankyou for reading and if you have any help for my sister, please reply.

xox

**Lunar** · 19-10-2006 15:57

I was told when I fell pg with #1 that it was ok for me to keep taking my meds (but I didn't

) I was ok though.

I think it would be wise for her to talk to her Dr, the one that is managing her meds. They are the ones that will be able to tell her the risks/benefits of using the meds in pregnancy.

Hope this helps.

**Tam-I-Am** · 21-10-2006 00:08

I'm a psychologist who has worked for years in public mental health. We had lots of women in your sister's situation come through our doors at various times. There are anti-depressants that are safer than other during pregnancy, and her doctor would be able to discuss that with her. Even better, it would be wise for her to seek a referral to either a psychiatrist who has an special interest in pregnancy, or to an obstetrician who has a special interest in psychotropic medications.

I hope your sister finds an understanding (and knowledgeable!) practitioner to help her through her pregnancy.

**sugar n spice** · 24-10-2006 14:04

Hi
I was feeling depressed in my second preg and i was told that the safest anti depressant for pregnancy is Cipramil. I was told to take that but got the presciption filled but stressed more about it harming the baby ( i suffer anxiety) so i didnt even use them as my dr told me its better for me not to take them if its going to make me anxious but they are safe.

**♥Heaven Sent♥** · 26-10-2006 01:08

Hi there,
I was the same before i got pregnant with dd i done my research and got put on meds that were safe for pregnancy.I took Endep(amitriptiline) through my pregnancy with dd and half way through ds when i was having heart problems i had to be put on another med.I went through the pshyc at my birthing hospital they found the perfect med for me and the safest for my bub.My 2 kiddies and happy and healthy and no affects to them.Mayby your sister can have a chat with her doctor about this,he/she would have some more information.

Me · 27-10-2006 20:05

I also took meds whilst preg - although only for a month and it was about a 1/5th of the normal dose - but my dr said that the safest meds to take are the ones that have been around for long periods of time - eg 30-50yrs. His reasoning was that there have been so many women during that time taking these meds whilst preg without causing harm to the bubs - which completely makes sense to me.

On the mention of Cipramil being safe during pregnancy - from my understanding it's quite a strong and fairly recently(10-15yrs) medication - I wouldn't have thought it to be up there in the 'best' medications during pregnancy? but that said, I also have an extremely bad reaction to it

The best thing for your sister would probably be to start talking to her dr now about changing meds and possibly changing before conception - this way she will know how the meds are going to affect her iykwim

Good luck to your sister!

**ziggie** · 27-10-2006 20:12

I'll probably be on anti depressants for the rest of my life... although I am on them for panic attacks....
My Doc changed me from efexor (Venlafaxine) to luvox (Fluvoxamine) when I started to try for a bubba. Hope this helps

**spoon** · 13-12-2006 08:17

Hiya all,

I was told by my phyc. that i should be taking fish oli. there have been studies that have prooven that fish oil is wonderful for depression and awesome for bipolar (Which is what i have)

I ahve been taking it for a while now and i feel really good. more level headed.

It is also very good for babies brain.

Check it out.

**MissieK** · 13-12-2006 12:13

I was on anti depressants through my second pregnancy. There are some brands that are safe & others that aren't - so it's best to talk with her doctor about it.

Melissa

**ImSethsMum** · 13-12-2006 18:49

I take Lexapro and was told if I ever fall pregnant again that its ok to stay on this one till the last trimester then Id have to change.

In saying that I was told Id be put on Zoloft .... which is one I was given in the begginning (when trying to find one that was best for me) and after one Zoloft tablet I ended up in the hospital due to racing heart and breathing problems. So I definatly wont be letting them put me on that again.
The thing is everyone can have reactions to each type of anti-d med so id suggest getting her to find one that is good and doesnt give her complications before she starts trying for a bub IYKWIM.