panorama

[TheFalconsmistress]

27 Weeks pg and have been on citalopram for a month. Feel like I have chose to deform/kill my baby after watching tonights programme. I dont know if I will get by without them they have helped so much already

[AnythingNotEverything]

From what they've said the risks are small. Was there a helpline at the end? (I'm watching it on playback)

Talk to your GP if you're concerned. You're not intentionally harming your child. Don't beat yourself up.

[ClaireB83]

I was horrified watching tonight's panorama as I took Citalopram for about the first 5 months with my DS. On top of this I am a type 1 diabetic so am already at an increased risk of my DC having birth defects.

Fortunately my little man was born with no health problems but I would certainly think twice in future.

I think if I was in your position Falcon I'd want to talk through alternative treatments with my doctor or get a referral to your local mental health team (sounds worse than it is).

I'm sure the risks are low but I can really empathise.

Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy.

[bonzo77]

OP the advice above is all good. I'd add that if you first started taking it at 22/23 weeks, the risk will be much lower. Those babies had defects picked up at the 20 week scans. Most organ development happens in the first 12 weeks.

The programme really made me think. I've been on sertraline for anxiety since having DS2. Will have to stop before TTC DC3. Also makes me wonder if the drugs I had for my terrible reflux in both my pregnancies had anything to do with my failing placentas both times.

[working9while5]

I am really angry about this. I have just been discharged from the Mother and Baby Unit and was told that it increases a background risk of .5 to .8 to 1% meaning 1 in 256 might have heart difficulties, less than the rate of stillbirth for us all.

There is a 68% rate of relapse if you come off meds though. Did they mention this on the programme? What about the negative effects of untreated depression????

I also love the way in all the literature it's that WOMEN might be risking their baby by taking these drugs. Not the doctors who prescribe them or the companies who manufacture them, women taking drugs because they are ill with depression, which is a leading cause of maternal death in women of childbearing age.

[TheFalconsmistress]

Totally understand your anger working re spoke to obstriciation and they were happy for me to be on it? there is a small risk of a breathing issue when born but again this is small and easily remedied so they will be watching for it.

[Chrisgraph]

Of course the problem is with doctors prescribing SSRI's (ADs) but it is also our responsibility to ensure that what we are taking - food, drink, drugs including prescription medication does no harm to us or our babies. Loads of information on side effects of prescription meds on www.rxisk.org, many of which are causing suicidal thoughts and thats just the ADs.

[Chrisgraph]

Its also possible that medication of any sort will have a detrimental effect on a foetus. How many of you have suffered side effects from prescription medication? Feeling woozy, tired, balance knocked out and that was before you fell pregnant. Surely you can understand how prescription meds could alter the cell structure and chemical balance in your body. Perhaps some of you should look at alternatives to taking medication if there is any chance you could fall pregnant! Yes, I have suffered from serious depression - yes I did think about suicide but my doctor refused to give me meds. thank you, thank you, thank you.