Antidepressants While Pregnant

[Perplexed]

Not sure where else to post this to ask, but has anyone here been pregnant while on anti-depressants such as Zoloft or Prozac? I was on Zoloft in the past but I am currently on Prozac and I feel that my symptoms have improved tremendously that I don't know if I ever want to go back to how things were prior to this.

I know there are both pros and cons to either tapering off one's medication or staying on medication during pregnancy. But how does one make the decision?

As a person that had always been burdened depression and anxiety, I have come to realize that my symptoms have exasperated during my previous pregnancies. I was unable to sleep due to imagining the worse case scenarios of being stuck in some of the horrible tragedies occurring around the world.

But how would I know if in my case the pros of taking an antidepressant exceeds the cons? I'm sick of people in real life telling me that the heightened anxiety out of fears for your children are "normal" for a mother of young children. Is it normal to have a meltdown several times a day when I can't find my children even though they are around the house? It is simply too exhausting.

Sorry that I tend to write long posts, but I'd love any opinions, experiences or insights. I would love to plan for baby # 3 within the next 12 months... but I am too scared of what terrible things my mind will convince me of if I am not on medication.

 

[WackyMumof2]

Okay from memory but I'd find out more. The brain has a blood barrier which prevents harm so baby shouldn't suffer any ill effects - that's what the Psychologist told me anyhow. He wanted to put me on anti-depressants to 'help' with my anger issues and I told him at that point he could 'go to Hell'. Kind of ironic huh? My argument was I didn't want my anger issues masked with drugs but I wanted to be referred to a therapist who deals in CBT to help me solve the problem. I won't take medication if I don't have to though as I tend to be the kind of person who wants to solve the problem, not cover it up.

IF you have serious concerns about the information your specialist gave you about taking anti-depressants (he wanted to put me onto Prozac again as well), then ask about alternative therapies that could benefit you. If you don't feel that your baby is safe then maybe working though your anxieties and depression medication free and with a therapist is your best chance of keeping these issues in check. Best of luck.

 

[Boothh]

I have BPD depression and anxiety and I'm still taking my meds. Venlafaxine. My docs have said its about weighing up what's best for the baby and I think having a mummy who's mentally well is pretty important for them x

 

[Sinclair]

You could always talk to your OB about it as well.

I'm currently on zoloft and after talking to the OB they rather keep be on it rather than have me off of the pills. Pros outweighed the risks in my case.

 

[PaulaR]

I take lexapro and and decided to stay on it but half my dose.

 

[Perplexed]

Thanks for your comments, ladies. It is really hard for me to think about this but I do know that antidepressants saved me. I didn't know that I was capable of having this improved quality of life before I got on them. Since I was able to be medication free for a while, I think I'll aim to taper them off before trying for our next baby; but to keep in mind that going on them is an option if I really need them. My anxiety sky-rockets both pregnancies...though I have been even more anxious while not pregnant, so I guess it's better to just cross that bridge when I get to it...