Should I go back on antidepressants?

[Lizzy86]

I am now 17 weeks and before pregnancy was taking these as I suffer from depression. I stopped taking them from advice from my doctor as soon as I decided to start trying for our baby. All was well but recently (maybe it's the dark cold weather) but I'm so low. I work 40 hours a week, go work, go home, eat and repeat. It's horrible. I talk to my partner about it and he's so supportive but I really need to stop putting pressure on him.

The main thing that upsets me is having no connection to this pregnancy at all, does anyone else feel this way? It's my first baby so I haven't quite felt baby move yet, maybe when I do it'll be better?

Has anyone taken the plunge and gone back on medication at this stage of pregnancy? Is it too soon?

[Pinkrach]

Hi Hun,

I was also on antidepressants for anxiety before getting pregnant but came off them before I conceived. I am currently 26 weeks pg. I haven't had an easy pregnancy, so it has been an anxious time and I feel quite on edge. I have resisted going back on medication, because I don't want to take any risks but you should talk to your doctor. Mine referred me to a perinatal mental health team and I have a midwife from that team coming to see me next week. Perhaps that would be an option for you? Then you could talk to someone about how your feeling without worrying about 'putting pressure' on anyone else, as you mention with your partner.
Also, perhaps after chatting with your doctor, you could look at amending your working hours so that you're not doing too much.
Having said all of the above, many women do take antidepressants in pregnancy if the risk to the mother's health is deemed to outweigh the risk to the baby and there are some which are believed to be safe to take.

I hope you feel better soon xx

[Lizzy86]

Thank you

I have been trying so much to focus my attention on baby but all my mind wants to do is tell me I'm low and I can't pick myself up. Then I worry I'm going to be a terrible mother. I'm sad all the time. But I want this baby so much that it hurts that I don't connect at all

I'm sat in work now thinking to myself that so many women do it that I need not worry. But I'm not a happy woman am I so it's not that simple

[Pinkrach]

You will connect- just give it time. I still don't feel completely connected even though I can feel her moving around, because I am so scared something will go wrong.
I really think you should make an appointment with your doctor and be very honest about how you feeling. The longer you leave it, the more chance there is that you will feel worse Hun.
I know exactly how you feel, but you've still got a fair way to go so you need to try and address it and get the support that you need xxx

[SakuraSakura]

I took antidepressants when pregnant. Came off them initially, but after a few weeks I decided, with my doctor, to go back on them. It helped me enormously at the time. I stopped taking them about two years later. No regrets here, it was right for me at the time. Hope you feel better soon . It's very tough x

[Lizzy86]

I want to feel positive and feel a bond already, but i don't. I just keeping thinking that i will not enjoy being a mum and i will crumble and my mental health will take over. I dont want the midwife or doctor judging me, which i know they are not meant to do, but i can't help but feel defeated already. And i dont want that to show

[Spl0ink]

Hey there. Are you seeing a counsellor or having any cognitive behavioural therapy, or anything of that nature? Having someone to discuss your worries with might help you get a bit more perspective on how you feel, even if it doesn't make you feel better per se. I'm not taking antidepressants and I haven't done for years but I am susceptible to depression and mentioned that to the midwife from the start. As a result, ive been referred to my local mental health services for assessment for possible free counselling, as well as being recruited for a mental health research panel, so I know I'm going to be monitored throughout. I definitely didn't feel judged. Good luck x

[MrsQueen]

A lot of doctors will encourage you to come off anti-depressants in pregnancy, because there are some known risks for the baby.

However the psychiatrist I saw made the excellent point that depression also has risks for the baby. Children born to depressed mothers have higher rates of depression and stress themselves, probably because the mother's faulty brain chemistry affects their brain development, and depression after the birth could massively affect your bonding and ability to care for your baby.

Personally I chose to stay on the anti-depressants: I feel that the small risks to the baby of being affected by the medicine was outweighed by the larger risks of the baby being affected by my depression.

FWIW, sertraline is thought to be one of the lower risk options in pregnancy.

[MrsQueen]

Ps fluoxetine (Prozac) is also good, but sertraline slightly better.

[Lizzy86]

Thanks ladies

I will be booking an appointment to see doctor next week and will explain how I am feeling. I want to know that I can feel happy again even if a pill is helping my brain out

[Lizzy86]

SakuraSakura how did you feel once you went back on them? Did you feel guilty when taking them with being pregnant? I just don't know what to do with myself

[Linseyd]

hi ladies in the same boat stopped medication just before i found out i have good and bad days can anyone tell me about the perinatal team does your midwife refer you to them xxxx

[LikeASoulWithoutAMind]

Do go and talk to your doctor Lizzy - I am sure you will have options. My obstetric cons was very relaxed about me taking Fluoxetine or Citalapram when pg (and later bfing) - he was less keen on Sertraline (at the time). He has a reputation for being very cautious so I felt reassured by this.

I do remember how it feels to make that decision though but ds is now a big strapping 7yo - good at Maths, rugby and charming everyone with his lovely smile - honestly for me it was absolutely the right thing to do.

[supersupersupershock]

I am wondering if i should go back on. ~Only been of 10days but baby's father causing so much upset...