In Preparation Of......Long

[Chris77]

I'm on Prozac 40 mgs and have been for quite awhile. Since DH and I are going to be trying for a baby in a couple of months, this has naturally been a concern. So, I spoke with my psychiatrist and she said that is completely fine to take Prozac while pregnant. If I were on Zoloft or Paxil, it would be a different story and I would have to come off them. She said she has done extensive research and consulted with other doctors and there is no evidence that taking Prozac while pregnant causes any harm to the baby. She even said it would be ok to breastfeed while on Prozac. Not quite sure what I feel about all this. She definitely suggests NOT coming off the meds while trying to get pregnant. She also doesn’t really recommend me coming off the medication during pregnancy since my chances of developing Post Partum Depression and Post Partum Psychosis are very high. I expressed my fears to her and I have a few options. She told me that when I get my first positive result, to call her and she can start titrating me down slowly off the meds. If, however, I am depressed for more than 2 days during any time during this, she wants me back on the Prozac and back to the dose that I’m on currently. But, if I decide to not come off, the baby will okay. Pete and I have discussed it and after I get my first positive test result, I will call my doctor to have myself slowly titrated off the Prozac for the duration of my pregnancy, to be put back on immediately after delivery. If however, I start getting depressed again, I will be back on the Prozac but I would want to stay on the lowest dosage possible during the pregnancy to maintain my depression and eating disorder. I think this is really the best way to approach this experience. I am very fearful of coming off the medication and just as equally fearful of damage to our baby, even though I have reassured constantly that Prozac will cause no harm to the baby.

The end result: I will start coming off the Prozac from the moment I receive my first positive pregnancy test. I don’t want any ill effects at all, but if there has to be any, I would rather it happen to me than to our child.

Has anyone had any experience in this? I’m particularly interested in mother’s who have taken Prozac during their pregnancy and have come off it during pregnancy.

Thanks

 

[Vickie]

Not experienced it myself but it sounds like you are being very proactive and finding out as much info as you can beforehand. Good luck to you when you do start TTC

 

[Jewels]

Hi Chris,

I had done some research online on taking antidepressants while TTC / pregnancy, because I myself have been taking them for anxiety.

I found that there have been many women that chose to take an antidepressant through their pregnancy simply because the baby was better off, as well as the mother. In many cases it made pregnancy more enjoyable, and less stressful. Many women have done this and had healthy babies. It's just a matter of talking with your doctor about your specific situation and letting them recommend the medication that is right for you.

I decided that since I have my anxiety under much better control, I am going to come fully off my medication before TTC. In addition, the antidepressant I am taking is not one to be taken towards the end of pregnancy, so I would not take it during pregnancy. But if for some reason I have problems with the anxiety, I would definitely talk with my doctor about my options, because I'd rather enjoy my pregnancy and be sure my anxiety is not putting any stress on my baby than take any chances.

Not sure if this helps or not... Good luck!

 

[studentoflife]

Hi, my sister is on antidepressants (although I cannot remember which one though sorry) and she is on a pregnancy & breast feeding safe brand. She had it throughout her pregnancy and breastfeeding. My niece will be 1 in May and is perfect. No deficit and my sister is much more able to cope with the the stresses of having a young child. If you would like I can ask her which one she is on. I would encourage you to continue as planned but not be too scared to go back on the meds if needed. You want to be able to enjoy your pregnancy and little baby rather than stressing about things when it can be managed with your medication. Good Luck.

 

[cara1974]

I was on Escitalopram/Cipralex when I fell pregnant and weaned myself off once I found out as I was worried about side affects to the baby. I was told that I could switch to Prozac but I chose not to as I knew I'd not be able to cope with the guilt if anything happened to the baby and would blame the drug for any slight problem!

I had really bad baby blues and PND crept up on me but I refused to take anti depressants. Despite my years of depression on and off I (stupidly) believed it would pass. My son is now almost 13 months old and I am still very depressed and teary most days. I am struggling to cope back at work and I feel like I'm the most useless mother in existence.

I wonder if, had I stayed on the drugs would this all be happening?

And DH wants us to start trying for baby number 2!!!!!

 

[Alchemist]

I am currently weaning off Cipralex so that i can start TTCing in May. Its not a simple choice and I am feeling ok now but I know its going to be hard work to stay positive through this. I am going to have to be more proactive and be kind to myself (something I have struggled with my whole life). I do feel I have learned in the year that I have been on Cipralex to do that and am confident it will be ok.

Having said that, I am weaning off VERY slowly. I am doing it over a period of 6 - 8 weeks in order to prevent a relapse. I am currently on my third week of the process (am on 5mgs currently) and while I am worried about the next few weeks I am staying positive. If i have negative thoughts I switch my focus to something else and that really prevents my decline into depression. Keep busy and focus on the positive outcome.

I also recommend therapy to help you cope with your rant and raves and chatting to others in similar situations is wonderfully helpful. So we are all there for you and believe in you

 

[cara1974]

Sounds like you are really on top of things and doing what is best for you and baby to be.

I have had counselling before but the results were short lived. My Health Visitor is trying to get me on a list for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which I think would be far more beneficial I think. I obviously need my mind set changing. I admit that I do look for the worse case scenario in most things before they even get a chance to get off the ground! Which is quite destructive really and puts a strain on relationships. I know that changes need to be made. My husband and I have decided to try for baby number 2 - today is the last day of my taking the pill...

I also know I have guilt about being a working mum - I know nursery is good for Sam - but I don't think it's good for us - if you know what I mean. I'm torn. Argh...

 

[Alchemist]

Aaah, the eternal dilemma - working mums vs stay at home mum. What I have learned through all my therapy and medication is to get informed. Information for ppl with anxiety is essential. Guilt is a senseless emotion. It is meant to inspire you to rectify an action. However, when you wollow in it, it becomes destructive and a little self indulgent (sorry if this bites but I know what i am talking about with this one as I am the quintesential self centred human).

So, you need to get educated honey. Make up your mind based on what you and DH decide TOGETHER. why should you feel the sole brunt of the responsibility? decide together if its better if you work or stay at home or work part time etc etc. Once you decide on the action, do it while it works for you and dont wollow in guilt. You are never going to know the repercusions of every single action to you or your kid..... you just gotta go with your decision and if it turns out to be negative, change the decision.

I know it sounds simple but what i find helps is to bite decisions into little pieces. that way it is less threatening. Instead of worrying if daycare will affect your relationship with your child indefinately or affect his growth etc etc, look at it like, If i have him in daycare, will this help me when we have kid #2 and therefore will he be more secure and less jealous.....or should i spend more time with him and integrate him more slowly.....

seek expert advice. speak to ppl who have been through it and then decide whats good for your family. hope i didnt ramble on too much.................

most of all, enjoy yourself. you are going to wonder where the hell all the years went ..enjoy your babies

 

[cara1974]

I know what you're saying. I'm working 4 days a week at the mo and I think if I had a job I loved - or even just liked - I'd probably feel different about working to be honest. Sam loves nursery and I think it would be unfair to take him out of it just to make me feel better ;oD I think the best way forward is to find a find a job I like doing lesser hours and then everyone wins. I get to see more of Sam and he gets to keep going to nursery.

Course, finding a new job is gonna be the toughie....

 

[Alchemist]

yeh. i am also working 4 days but only managed to negotiate it becuase i am studying my masters part time. And even then i get guilt tripped all the time..... i mean its not like i'm earning full wage....grrrrr men!!!

but i dont care anyways. i intend on being a sahm and have babes one after the other (maybe working part time if i go nuts)......

ha ha i just realised we're both stressed.....my boss is driving me nuts today - like somehow i should control the world!!! oh and the one director just questioned me about what i do all day....felt like saying " trying to finish the project in the unrealistic timeframes you agree on cos you too idiotic to realise we are in the poo"

but i just smile...cos i imagine not caring in a few months or so

 

[cara1974]

yeah, I've noticed a different attitute now that I'm working one day less...like I'm a sort of hindrance. Because I'm one day less I probably work twice as hard to make sure I get stuff done. (altho sometimes I do sneak online occassionally - hey some people go for smoke breaks - I do online breaks)

and hey, now that we are officially TTC I might get more sex so that will be good stress reliever hehehe

 

[Alchemist]

thats my theory too....i am really looking forward to that one ha ha...... shame my poor DH feels like a sperm doner lol