Taking Anti-depressants while Pregnant
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Category: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Name: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Description: Trying to get pregnant? Going through fertility treatment? Just planning your first or second child? There are many people out there in the same boat to help and listen and share with
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Topic: Taking Anti-depressants while Pregnant
Posted By: RinTinTin
Subject: Taking Anti-depressants while Pregnant
Date Posted: 04 February 2009 at 3:48pm
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I was kind of shocked to not find a forum already going on this. Perhaps people just don't talk about it.
I'm on Anti-Depressants, have been on and off them for 2 years or so but am now on them permanently, and I'm ok with that. I am TTC and my GP has just told me I should consider coming off my Anti-D's because they could harm the baby. Although there are no known side effects, he said it is traditional to not put anything into your body when pregnant cause it may harm the baby. Is there anyone out there who is pregnant and taking Anti-D's? Or has had a child while on Anti-D's? Did you or your baby have any side effects from them? What did your Midwife have to say about it? I'm worried because I don't want to harm my future child but coming off the pills is not a safe option for me. |
Replies:
Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 04 February 2009 at 3:54pm
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Have a look in this forum, there is heaps in there with others having, have had different experiences and medications Living with Post Natal Depression ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: Meowmeow
Date Posted: 04 February 2009 at 6:45pm
| I wen to my doc when we started TTC and I was on anti depressents - she sent me to maternity mental health and they changed my pills to another one - there are certan AD's you cant take whilst TTC or preg and they just change you toa diff one which wont harm the baby. The change was easy for me and i acually feel better now from changing...... |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 04 February 2009 at 7:15pm
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There's a PND section on this board - you'll probably find all the info there.
But from first hand experience, although I am off them now and don't know which ones you are taking, my doc was fine with me continuing them during pregnancy. With mine there is an increased risk of heart defects by 1% (so 5% instead of the usual 4%) and there can be some risks in the third trimester too. But you have to weigh up the minor risks to the baby vs. the major risks to the mum I guess. Anyway have a look in the PND thread  -------------  
 
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Posted By: angel4
Date Posted: 04 February 2009 at 7:41pm
when i was pregnant i asked the same thing. Dont know what med your on but i was on cytalipram (probably spelt wrong). They said that there was no risk to bubs. Also the risk of me going off them would out weigh any small risks anyway. I was having anxiety attacks and would wind up in hospital etc so that would not have been good while pregnant. Something you may be interested to know is that since having my baby i stopped taking the meds when he was a month old (weaned slowly obviously) and have been doing fine. Before if i missed a day it was awful. The change in my hormones from pregnancy and birth has been for the better. So good luck. My big advice would be ask as many questions as you need to until you feel completely comfortable with the situation.
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Posted By: asicsgal
Date Posted: 04 February 2009 at 8:18pm
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Hi, I talked about this with my gp to. I was on 150mg of Venafaxiline (prop spelt incorrectly), I've been on those for over a year. I've been on A D's for a while this pill is more for anxiety. I've decided to come off them, theres been no side effects on pregnant woman but decided I'd try life without them, so far so good. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 8:29am
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I'm on 40mg of Fluoxatine. The study I've done on the net and asking my friend who is a qualified Chemist, says there are no known side effects with this medication to baby. But I guess once I do get Pregnant I will ask my Midwife straight away and if I need to change to something else I will.
Coming off them is not an option for me. Not in the near future anyway. I've tried coming off them a few times before (weaning off them as directed by my GP) and I spiral down pretty quick and it's hard on me and everyone around me while I go down then try to claw my way back up again. |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 9:55am
Sounds to me like you'll be fine staying on them then Full steam ahead for baby making  -------------
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Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 1:49pm
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Hi AmStaff
I have taken fluox off and on for about 10years, went back on fluox (20mg) while pregnant with #2 and also continued taking them while breastfeeding. My Dr (who specialises in mental health) said it would be fine, and much better for baby that mum is is good mindframe. Good luck! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: Bunny
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 10:17pm
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I am on citalopram 20mg and have discussed this issue quite in depth with my dr, she feels that it is far riskier for me to be off them than any possible side effects for bubs.
The one thing she did mention is when taken them the chances of baby needing help to get the first breath when they are born increases (this has a name but I can't remember what it is sorry), this doesn't necessarily mean it will happen the chances just increase. As long as all medical staff know you are taking them and you get plenty of support from your mw & dr I am sure everything will be fine. Good luck with TTC
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Posted By: JamyzonlyJaz
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 10:18pm
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I was on citolopram and i found it hard to fall pregnant. I eventually became pregnant and miscarried at 9 weeks. I really want a baby so i stoped taking them and in about 4 weeks i was expecting again. I feel so much better now and im glad i stoped when i did. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Bunny
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 10:29pm
I didn't find it hard to get pg but I did mc at 8 weeks - I am convinced that the AD had nothing to do with this tho, it was just bad luck and obviously not meant to be that time. JamyzonlyJaz - it is awesome that you managed to stop taking them and that you feel so much better now, I wish I could but every time I try I have anxiety attacks and get completely paranoid. |
JamyzonlyJaz wrote:Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 10:38pm
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I was trying to concieve before I started back on my AD's, so the fact that I'm still not pregnant doesn't have anything to do with the AD's I don't think.
Good on you for being able to come off of them. Unfortunately for me it is a hereditary issue that I cannot seem to keep stable control of without the AD's. My partner did ask though, does anyone think, that because the AD's give you extra Ceratonin (spelling?) would that possibly affect your baby? For example, they are being given extra Ceratonin, so then their own Ceratonin making gland doesn't work as hard, therefore causing clinical depression later in life? Does that make sense? |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 10:51pm
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I've never heard of a linkage between fertility and A-D's. That may be a coincidence. But it's great you managed to come off them JamyzonlyJaz. -------------
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 11:12pm
My lilypie signature keeps showing up to me as just text and not the picture?
Anyone know how to put it on properly? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 05 February 2009 at 11:14pm
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don't worry. fixed it ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: asicsgal
Date Posted: 06 February 2009 at 8:45am
WARNING TMI!!!!!!!!!!! AND LONG POST - SORRY! Bunny I can sympathise. I've been on and off AD's and AA's all related to childhood and then further issues as an adult. I have been on AD's since mid 20's so have been more used to being on them rather than not. I was on Aropax for years then got switched to Citolopram. About 2 years ago I thought I would go off them but I ended up going into D, I think this was really the fact that we had just come back from aussie on the last family holiday with my mum, dad and sis (mum was terminally ill), and I came out of denial that she was dying. The doctor then switched me to Venafaxline due to extreme anxiety etc. I was told by my councillor that I'd always be on AD's or AA's due to my history. I always used to feel bad that I had to have them, that there must be something wrong with me. She told me it is just like those people who are diabetic and have to have insulin, I needed the chemical that AD's or AA provide. Although I am weaning myself off now with doctors approval I'm still getting a few side effects just like a dizzy head as the chemicals get depleted. I'll just have to monitor myself a we all know TTC is stressful and there are a number of anxiety triggers for me. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: JamyzonlyJaz
Date Posted: 06 February 2009 at 5:02pm
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At first i didn't want to blame the AD but when i mc i started to research citolopram and found this:
"Citalopram is a considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that citalopram may not be safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using citalopram during pregnancy" I then went to see my doctor and he gave me the permission to stop using them as i really wanted a baby. He was concernd about the hormones during pregnancy making things worse but i found that i feel so much better (maybe my pregnancy hormones balanced out my regular hormones) now i have something to look forward to. But i am worried about post natal depression after baby is born 
Bunny- you will know when you are ready to come off them. Its hard sometimes most times with depression but there is light at the end of the tunnel and concentrate on all of the positives. You will get there!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 07 February 2009 at 11:43am
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Asicsgirl I got those side effects too - especially when I was tired. If they got too bad I'd go back to my previous dose for another week and then drop down again (dropped 1/4 of pill each week). The weirdest one was right at the end when I could 'hear' myself blink.
I was on Loxamine btw. -------------
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Posted By: asicsgal
Date Posted: 07 February 2009 at 12:35pm
Glad to hear somebody else has had those symptoms, it's kinda hard to explain. I know exactly what you mean about the blinking thing. It's like having a gong go off and your head is vibrates-aghhh. Had it bad yesterday and today seems rather worse. Still totally normal side effects. I'm just wondering whether I don't ring the docs on mon to try and take even lower dose than 35mg (not sure what they come in). Have also noticed my emotions a bit all over the place, like I'm not somebody who crys alot but watching a tv programme the other night I could feel my eyes pricking with tears a bit over something really dumb LOL!! Def not me and it's probably just because the chemical depletion. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: angel4
Date Posted: 07 February 2009 at 1:41pm
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i was really worried about post natal depression given that i have been on anti-ds since i was 13 and whenever iwould try come off them it was a fast spiral downwards. I have anxiety attacks which land me in hospital for at least a week or more. I was quite worried about it - how would i look as a mother if i kept having anxiety attacks. During pregnancy i got real paranoid (thought they'd take my baby etc). Then after bubs was born i forgot to take my pills for a couple days. This would normally have resulted in my close friends and family asking if i was tkaing my meds (because it was so obvious when i wasn't) but no one did. So i went to my dr and explained this and decided to come off them and have been off them since.
i would just like to add that my baby boy did need oxygen at birth but he was 4weeks early. So either of these could have contributed. He was fine after that though and didn't need any more help. All the best |
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 09 February 2009 at 12:57pm
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Will be nice if I do find I can come off of them, but I won't force the point. It'll happen if it's supposed to happen...like everything else I guess. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 11 February 2009 at 2:54pm
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I think thats my biggest fear really. My partner knows I can spin out, he knows how to deal with it, but a baby won't understand, nor do they have any control over it. Usually getting worked up increases your blood pressure which is dangerous to baby.
I think it is generally best to stay on your medications since pregnancy is such a hormonal ride. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 11 February 2009 at 4:58pm
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Yes - many GP's believe 'better the devil you know'.
I look back to what I was like before my PND was diagnosed and if there was *any* indication that I was going back to that I would be back on them like a shot. Considering I got to the point where I couldn't interact with my baby at all - not even go within 2 metres of her - and not go outside. Surely it's better for a slightly increased risk to the unborn baby than to risk being as unbalanced as that. There are a few people I know of who are going through pregnancy now and are on medicine for PND. If you take this discussion to the PND thread you'll find some more viewpoints. -------------
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Posted By: asicsgal
Date Posted: 11 February 2009 at 9:18pm
I remember being on amitrip for a while (seems I've been on a few different varieties) they also gave me clonazapam was on sleeping pills for over a year and I think diazapam, then went on the citolopram then venafaxiline which I am still on. Actually coming off sleeping pills was easy which was so weird as I have always suffered from sleep disorders because of the anxiety. I had it from the time I woke up (I used to wake up feeling sick) to the time the drugs kicked in at night. Anxiety is all I have known really so coming off them is a bit scary considering councillor had told me I would probably be on them for the rest of my life. It's bizarre to understand all the chemicals inside the brain. Of course you worry about the ttc causing anxiety, I guess it's just something you cope with. I've got another dtrs appointment next week to discuss have cut down to 37.5 mg every 2 days. Sorry for long post. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 11 February 2009 at 10:27pm
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it is scary - but at least you'll be well monitored and they'll take it really slowly.
It is amazing how all the chemicals work (or don't in our cases) -------------
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 8:41am
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Has anyone ever been on a dosage of AD's, been really good for a few months and then oneday just flipped out really badly, like worse than ever before? I did that a few weeks ago. I use to be on 20mg of Fluox but have been put up to 40mg of Fluox, been really good for 6 weeks, not fighting at home, no staying awake, no anger, anxiety, nothing. Then me and DP got into this conversation, things were taken the wrong way, things were said and I just lost it, tried to put my fist through a wall, screaming and throwing punches. DP had to restrain me until I settled down. Poor thing freaked out, he has a few bruises where I got him. It was really scary and like I had no control of it. Just fueled by rage over nothing really for no apparent reason. And I'd like to know, has anyone else experienced this? Is it possible if your dosage is too high it can send you over and above any issues you had before, making things worse? It's at this point I'm slightly glad that this is pretty much an annonymous forum, cause for anyone who knows me, they're probably scared of me now and think I'm just a fruit loop. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: 2boysnbug
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 11:47am
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yeah i am a bit nervous as am on AD but doctor told me a i can cut down to half a tablet a day and that the clorimphon (s?) that i am on is what the give ladies if they have antenatal depression. i dont think i can come off them anyways as i dont want to become that person that i was when i didnt have the help of the AD. ------------- DS1 (20.11.06) 5 years DS2 (15.09.09) 2 years http://www.beginnerbaby.com/ticker/"> 
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Posted By: asicsgal
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 5:15pm
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Amstaff I think anybody that has ever experienced Aor D atleast has some comprehension of what others go through, I mean I don't judge anybody. I've never had the anger at somebody else, my anger has always been directed at myself. Over the years I put up huge walls faked emotions and covered it all up with drugs and alcohol. I used to self harm. God looking back it makes me feel ashamed the way I used to treat myself that I expected others to treat me the same way. The positive thing is that I have come a hell of a long way and I'm not that person anymore. However, I feel it's still lurking underneath at times(almost like being an alcoholic fearing a relapse) ie when I get upset it goes through my mind about self harm, but it's only for a fleeting moment. I think it's just taking a big breath and working through the moment. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 6:54pm
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asicsgal, I understand what you mean about the self harm. I use to do that too and I use to drink a lot as well.
When things go bad I do think about relapsing, not because I want to but sometimes it seems easir than trying to hold myself together. I know I'm a much better person than I was and I'm so grateful (and lucky) that I have a partner who saw the real me hiding under all my anger and he hung on for dear life and wouldn't let me go. Any other person would have walked away, run for their life in fact. Lucky lucky girl I am indeed  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: asicsgal
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 7:55pm
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Isn't it wonderful to be loved and accepted. My DH never saw that side of me as I had sorted 'issues' out by then ha ha he was my reward and I couldnt have asked for better. All my relationships previously were damaging ones, so I really had to have a good look at myself and make some changes. I took a year out from relationships when my mother was terminally ill as I just couldnt handle anyone else causing me extra grief. Glad it paid off. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 9:40pm
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I was never able to do that. Always been one to skip from one relatinship to the next. Wish I had been able to, but not to worry now, think I'm stuck with DP. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: asicsgal
Date Posted: 13 February 2009 at 8:06am
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Yep I know what you are saying. During that year I was also doing real estate, and left that due to wanting to spend time with Mum so was doing temping jobs. It was such a life change for me that at that time I was careful who I let in my life, as it was there were a few comings and goings on if you know what I mean. Still, well and truely happy so it's all in the past. Lets look forward to happy and healthy pregnancies-BRING IT ON!!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 13 February 2009 at 8:16am
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YAY COME ON BABIES!!!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MonicaMouse
Date Posted: 13 February 2009 at 4:40pm
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I went to see my GP the day after I found out I was pregnant to speak to him re the ADs and being pregnant. He told me that any major harm would be done in the first 6 weeks - and by that stage I was nearly 7, so have just continued. I have to be honest, with the MS I have had I haven't taken them every day, but getting back onto it now.
*wishing you all lots of baby dust* ------------- 
Blair 15/10/2007 Daniel 30/07/2009 |