Antidepressants while pregnant?

[nick&jonmom]

Hi All, I am 9w pregnant and have been trying to wean off lexapro without a lot of success. I have gotten myself down to 2.5 mg (just a tiny dose), but that's as far as I can get. When I dont' take it I feel out of control and cannot deal at all with my kids or life in general....I have read that the worst time to take ssri's is during the first tri and so I am really worried. Anyone have info on this topic, ideas, stories, BTDT? I've heard that if the benefits outweigh the risks, then it's best to stay on meds while pg, but how can I be sure I'm not creating a problem with baby? Anyone know WHAT the risks are? I read that there are risks but nowhere have I found what they are! Thanks for any help!

[mom0810]

It's fine to take an ssri during pregnancy. Talk to your OB about it, or your pdoc. Zoloft and prozac are used more often, but I think Lex is just fine. Depression and anxiety are SO much more harmful to the fetus than any ssri could ever be. It's very safe to take, in pregnancy and nursing.

[mom0810]

Go over to the PPD forum. There is lots of info there from moms who have taken/are taking ssri's while pregnant/nursing.

I took zoloft throughout my second pregnancy and I nursed both of my kids on it. No problems whatsoever.

[nick&jonmom]

Thank you, I feel a ltitle better about this and I'll go get some info on the PPD forum, which soon enough I'll be visiting frequently anyway!

[Surfacing]

Hi nick&jonmom, I took Prozac during my PG with dd2, from the second trimester though. That's just when I happened to hook up with a mental health professional. It was great and dd2 was born perfect in every way, calm happy baby, slept well, nursed great. No problems. Some babies seem to have a sort of withdrawal syndrome for the first day or two during which they cry lots and seem to have trouble feeding.

I was in contact with Motherisk located at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. Their findings were reassuring: http://www.motherisk.org/women/commo...content_id=894

It's such a personal decision and difficult to make a decision when our resources are low. But we are capable of making a decision.

I know for me it was a leap of faith that paid off! Good luck.

[KittyDanger]

I don't really have any advise, but someone directed me to your post from my due date club. I stopped taking Effexor at about 4 wks in my first pregnancy and in my current one.


I was able to get off of it, but I have to say it took about two weeks before I felt as depressed/irritable/tearful as I would normally be if I wasn't on it. Before those two weeks were up I felt like an insane person. Worse than I do being off of it (which isn't great btw). I really had to lean on DH, who thankfully is very tolerant.


I am currently taking Nordic Naturals EPA and DHA tablets, and they are offering me some relief, although I am still feeling quite blue.

[lovbeingamommy]

I'm not pregnant yet, but I'm on Zoloft and will continue to be this while ttc and hopefully eventually pregnant. I've researched so many hours in order to make this hard decision. My conclusion was it's less of a risk for me to be on an ssri and pregnant than it is to be constantly stressed/depressed and pregnant. Severe stress may cause m/c and I've talked with so many mamas on here that haven't had any problems with ssri's particularly Zoloft and Prozac. HTH

[bjorker]

Originally Posted by mom0810

Depression and anxiety are SO much more harmful to the fetus than any ssri could ever be.

Originally Posted by lovbeingamommy

I'm not pregnant yet, but I'm on Zoloft and will continue to be this while ttc and hopefully eventually pregnant. I've researched so many hours in order to make this hard decision. My conclusion was it's less of a risk for me to be on an ssri and pregnant than it is to be constantly stressed/depressed and pregnant.

I totally and completely agree with this. I know many of us, especially on this forum, are very concerned with medications, chemicals, interventions, etc... anything that is not "natural" and grown straight out of the earth, but many times that's just not practical living in today's world. It's okay to accept help in all of its forms. If you need it, it's okay. Please try not to beat yourself up about it, and accept this help. It'll be okay!

[Sarah W]

Originally Posted by mom0810

It's fine to take an ssri during pregnancy. Talk to your OB about it, or your pdoc. Zoloft and prozac are used more often, but I think Lex is just fine. Depression and anxiety are SO much more harmful to the fetus than any ssri could ever be. It's very safe to take, in pregnancy and nursing.

I agree.

I took Prozac during my pg. I weaned during the last month and restarted a few weeks PP. They did that to "make up" for the hormone drop. There is one AD that isn't recommended during pg, but I can't remember what it is.