Question on antidepressants during pregnancy

[pecanpie]

Has anyone taken imipramine while pregnant? Am 28 weeks and have been told I will finish taking it a few weeks before due date to avoid any withdrawal symptoms in the baby - which is making me worry more about taking it. Also, does it affect whether you can breastfeed or not? Really don't need the added pressure from my MiL if it turns out I either have to be desperately miserable and not taking drugs or made desperately miserable and made to feel sub standard because I can't breastfeed.

Was given the choice whether to take another kind of medication (SSRI such as zoloft) but risks in pregnancy sounded worse. Plan is to take imipramine because I may suffer side effects but baby won't. Had 2 miscarriages so even a tiny risk of fatal pulomary hypertension in baby is not worth taking...

Can you give me any advice at all? I feel like a complete failure for having to take them at all before I give birth but I can't go on as I am.

[starlight99]

you are not a failure for taking anti-depressants! We need to recognise our depression is a real illness. You are being sensible getting help because if you don't it could spiral out of control and this will end up being a worse situation for both you and your family.
I know how you feel, I am terrified of taking drugs during pregnancy. I'm sorry I don't know much about imipramine, but try not to worry as the doctors know what they are doing. I have friends who were on sertraline while they were breast-feeding so it doesn't necessarily mean you can't breast feed just because you are taking an AD.
Bless you, you have been through so much. I can understand you being scared about this baby because of your previous miscarriages. Try not to worry, getting to 28 weeks is great news, and the risks are much lower now.
As for your MIL, it seems like she is one of those people who needs to be educated about depression. Do you feel able to sit down and have an honest discussion with her, or would it be best to just ignore her?
x

[nickytwotimes]

You are not a failure at all.
Thousands take ads throughout pg and while bfing. I was on sertraline throughout my first pg and during this one. It is one of the recommended ones for breastfeeding.
I don't know imipramine at all I am afraid, but you could ask to see a psychiatrist who deals with pregnant and lactating women. Our regional hospital has one and he is very knowledgeable on the subject, unlike many GPs. There may be an option of switching to an SSRI like sertraline nearer the time of birth or shortly afterwards.
I would be cautious of coming off them too near birth though as you are more prone to depression post-natally and it is really important to keep on top of it.
Please find out if you can get some specialist advice. If you cannot see the consultant, your GP should be able to contact him or her for advice and any decent GP will be more than happy to do this.

[pecanpie]

Thanks for the advice. It's good to know that things can carry on as 'normal' even if I'm taking ADs. MiL doesn't know about depression but just foreseeing that any inability to bf will be seized as an opportunity for her to give out her 'advice'. Overall a very good MiL but a little bit too militant about bf without thinking about all of the different factors which make it impossible for some mothers to try.

I've seen a psych privately and he's following up with my obstetrics team (registrar most likely but with a very good lead consultant) who I am seeing on Friday. I'll have filled my prescription by then but will potentially hold off on starting the pills till I see the obstetrics team on Friday. Maybe an SSRI is actually a better option and will discuss sertraline. I've been told imipramine is 'less user friendly' but less risk to baby despite the exceptionally low chance of actual risk - but really not willing to take the chance.

As far as a good GP goes, I reckon I had some level of PND after my DD but when I saw him when she was 6 months old he told me I was just having 'adjustment issues'. He said the same when I saw him at about 14 weeks pregnant this time until I turned into an emotional wreck in his office on my second visit. I don't think I'd be in this situation now if I'd had help in the first place.