Depression - worried about taking Fluoxetine (Prozac)

[amyjaney1984]

Hi, I am ten weeks pregnant. When I found out I was pregnant my dr advised me to come of citalopram, which I did. However I am really not coping very well - I am a teacher and today I just kept bursting into tears so had to go home. I saw my dr and she suggested going onto fluoxetine. She said there is a risk of congenital heart defects in the baby, but in pregnancy they prescribe antidepressants on a "the pros outweigh the cons" basis... This has really scared me. I know I can't function and do my job without them, but I don't want to hurt my baby. Does anyone have any advice or been through a similar thing?

[amyjaney1984]

*off not of!

[MyGastIsFlabbered]

I was on Prozac throughout both of my pregnancies. Both of my boys are healthy, I have had no problems with their health other than the usual sniffles etc that small children get. They are 4 and 17 months old now.

Your baby needs you to be mentally well as well as physically, hope the prozac helps if you decide to take it.

[amyjaney1984]

Thanks, I really appreciate that. Glad to hear your babie were both healthy xx

[addictedtolatte]

I started taking Prozac at my 2nd trimester and my little girl is perfectly fine. I had to take it as my life was turned upside down suddenly and I just couldn't cope. Hope you feel better soon

[MummaSmurf1]

I thought citalopram was ok on a low dose - there are ADs that have got more research behind them re pregnancy. Can your midwife refer you to a consultant?
Is there anything that'd reduce triggers at work? Can you ask for reduced timetable?

[MyGastIsFlabbered]

I think Prozac is the most researched AD in pregnancy, I was changed from Duloxetine to it when I started trying for a baby. Obviously nothing is 100% guaranteed risk free, but I think it is considered fairly safe.

[ShoeWhore]

I took citalopram throughout my pg with dc3 with no problems at all - recommended by my consultant instead of Sertraline which I was on beforehand. Like you I was quite anxious about it but my mw told me this cons had a reputation for being very cautious.

Dc3 is absolutely fine btw (and we laugh about him being the smiliest child you have ever met )

[MrsM2013]

Am in the same boat amyjayne but at the end of the day 40 weeks is a bloody long time to be miserable for and the risks are small. Don't want to be a miserable blubbering wreck for the rest of my pregnancy and I'm a sitting duck for PND so would rather get on top of things now.
Have you thought about CBT? Might be worth exploring if you really don't want the pills but often a waiting list.

[Kcjs14]

Hi I am in the same dilemma. I have bad depression which has triggered OCD around germs and these harming the baby. I have also been advised to take Prozac but I am very reluctant. I am further on though, 34 weeks, and I am trying to get through this without taking it. I am getting cbt therapy though, and probably once baby arrives I will straight on the medication.