Pregnancy And Anti-depressants

[Mcll]

I just wanted to know what the women of the board think about taking anti-depressants while pregnant. I recently discovered that some are considered safe during pregnancy. Has anybody ever taken them while pregnant? If so, what were your experiences?

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I never took antidepressants while pregnant. I heard some cause birth defects. Please be careful and read up on it as much as you can. Wishing you the best.

 

[Britt.f7]

I tried with both of my pregnancies to go without. I was such a mess near the end of my first pregnancy, that my doctor encouraged me to. She chose one that did not have any known negative effects during pregnancy. You have to weigh the pros and cons. Is it worth the stress on the fetus/baby? That is what it came down to with my boys. Neither of them seem to be effected by the medicine. They are now teenagers in good health.

My oldest son does suffer from social anxiety/depression, but I don't believe it is due to the meds I took during pregnancy.

It is good to do research so that you can make the appropriate choice for you. Your OBGYN should also be able to help you with this.

Good luck.

 

[Mcll]

Thank you for the replies. I was a little shocked to hear some were considered ok because I automatically assumed that it was bad. I don't know what route I will take but it is a little comforting to know there is an option.

 

[HëllaBubz]

Hmmmm. I'm not sure, but I would really like to know if the one I'm on currently is safe for pregnancy because I really want children with my partner, but I'm on meds and I'm scared I'll screw my baby up if I'm on them whilst pregnant.

 

[Britt.f7]

Bubzilla, it is important to ask your doctor and pharmacist if they are alright. You may have to switch.

 

[HëllaBubz]

Well, the new research that is coming out is not looking good for most SSRI's......I may just have to experiment with natural stuff for a year or so prior to getting pregnant to see what works, and then take it from there.

The other thing I'm concerned about is the baby going through withdrawals......seriously not cool.

 

[Mrs. Martinez]

Nope there's a few that are considered safe but only for the desperate , which means not really safe just less damaging then others. it does suck I'm in my third pregnancy n about 8 months, I will honestly say I miss my pills, the one for flashbacks n omg I would kill for my valume back lol. There's a few natural remedies that help but you still have to be extra careful herbs can cause you to deliver at any point in your pregnancy. ...safest thing is marijuana believe it or not ! honestly most women who truly have a chemical imbalance level out during pregnancy! Good luck

 

[Britt.f7]

I may just have to experiment with natural stuff

Just because it says it is natural it does not mean that it will be okay for the baby. Plus, at least in America, those are not regulated so there is no guarantee you are getting the amounts, or the medicine, that it says.

I was told the first three months were the most important as far as development. You'll have to check on this.

Now as far as the FDA is concerned and side effects, etc., they have to print every reaction, during trials, that occurred during the trials. For example, a person may have had a heart attack during the trial, but they will report that as a possibility in the reactions for the medicine. Even if there is no guarantee that the heart attack was due to the medicine. I take everything with caution, especially supplements. I have too many various other medical issues, take other medications, that I really need to watch what is given to me. This is where my doctors team together so I am fortunate.

I guess, as far as warnings, it reminds me of the electrical warnings I read, or the warnings on other products. Like the do not use the hairdryer while taking a bath. There is only one person that has to happen to before it is reported. Of course I do think of all the things that may not have been reported.

Now, after all of this babbling. I did not go on anti depressants until, I believe, the third trimester. This is when I truly got bad in regards to my MDD. The baby feels everything you feel. My sons had no reactions, no weaning off, after they were born. They are 14 and 16 now. So far so good. Other then some medical issues they have that are genetic, there appears to be no adverse reaction.

I don't remember what med I was on. I know it wasn't paxil. It could have been effexor or lexapro. Really, I am not sure.

I realize how important it is to you. It was that way with me. Trust me, I watched them for years to make sure what I did did not effect them. I realize things still could have, but so part they haven't.

It is a big process. If you do go with supplements or vitamins, make sure you share this info with your doctor. For this, especially, it is important to have an open minded doc. Anyhow, this is so, if something goes wrong and they do have to give you something (like when I went into preterm), they won't give you something that may react with your supplements.

I wish you luck. It is a beautiful experience for those that want to go through it.

 

[HëllaBubz]

Well when I say natural, I mean supplements which are known to boost serotonin levels in the body naturally and handle anxiety, such as B12 oral vitamins, calcium, magnesium, specific herbs, etc.

And yes, my doctor is fabulous, I adore him.
Fortunately, when I'm on those supplements, they don't react, but I guess I'm going to have to go off them because I don't think my partner would be able to re-conciliate the idea of me being on medications whilst I'm pregnant.

He may want to delay having children until I'm off the medications.....but what if I never get off them?
What if I'm on medication for the rest of my life?

Is it really fair to ask me to wait 10 years in the hope that I might one day get off them?
My biological clock is kicking me up the arse, I'm naturally a mothering type of person, I don't think I could handle the thought of waiting that long, it would kill me inside.

 

[Britt.f7]

If you wait ten years there may be a lot of improvements in the meds. Of course, the older you get the more chances you are taking.

Even natural supplements can be bad for you or the baby. They usually post warnings on the label. I know this from having multiple medical conditions that I have to really watch what I take in. They do, however, usually give you prenatal vitamins.

I think I was more concerned then my spouse. Then, it could have just been that he saw how bad I was getting that he was more for the meds. I think he also had confidence in the doctor.

At the time, I was only on MDD meds. Right now it would be a little more complicated because I take meds for other reasons too. I do take a vitamin d supplement.

I'm glad you have a great doctor! That can make all the difference in the world. Make an appointment where you can sit down with the doctor, not a simple office appointment. The doctor may even be willing to go over it on the phone. Just have your questions ready.

You are taking great first steps! I wish you well.

 

[Bilby]

I have been through two pregnancies whilst on anti-depressants, and one pregnancy without.

1st pregnancy - without
2nd pregnancy - Zoloft
3rd pregnancy - Cipramil

My two children that were born whilst I was on medication, were born without any side effects or withdrawals. They were both totally fine (as was my first!).

However, I have to say that both these medications weren't exactly ideal in terms of my mental health. Unfortunately I was on another drug, prior to my third pregnancy - Cymbalta - but there is not enough known about it's effects on unborn babies, so my psychiatrist felt it was prudent to switch before pregnancy and also taper me off Clonazepam. These drugs had done wonders for my quality of life. Cipramil didn't really cut it, but it was as good as I could get.