Pregnant and on antidepressants new to this please help

[flowerbomb1982]

Hi I would be grateful for anybody who takes the time to reply. First time ive used this site. Found out I was pregnant today. Totally shocked but happy. My worry is that I have had recurrent depression in the past, I am totally fine and have only ever had an episode when I was extremely stressed and both times I tried to stop antidepressants in the past. At the moment I am taking 20mg Cipralex (Escitalopram) and 15mg Mirtazapine at night. My last episode was only in October so not that long ago and Ive only just began to feel on top of things. So, I worry that stopping medication could set me back. Ive had 2/3 episodes over 6 years this episode only lasted a few weeks and was mainly because I felt a "bit" down GP decided to change my medication told me to just stop one and start another and things went downhill ! So that is what caused the last episode. My question is to anybody did you take antidepressants whilst pregnant ? Did you have any problems ? I have different friends telling me that their GP told them to just STOP and others that said just reduce by the third trimester and others that said to stay on them as the benefits outweighed the risks ! I work in a health care setting and can see that many woman take them during pregnancy. Im just worried when I see my GP next week whatever he/she says is going to affect me if they tell me to just stop I will worry the depression will return. Thanks for reading.

[BubblegumPie]

My GP said that you have to weigh up the risks to the baby vs the risks to the mother. If coming off your meds is likely to endanger your life then you're not going to be much use to the baby. But if you can manage without them/lower your dose then it's better for the baby that you do.

I managed to get off mine, though it was bloody horrible the first couple of weeks.

I don't know how much use this is to you, but I didn't want to leave you unanswered. Maybe book an appointment with GP and see what they think?

[flowerbomb1982]

Hi thank you for your reply. I agree and have heard that you have to weigh up the risks etc. I really want to be off of them but in the past when I have come off them I have become depressed and I really dont want to get depressed again as I will be no use to myself or baby.

I have an appointment with GP but got to wait a week and a half no appointments.

I would like to hear from anybody that has stayed on antidepressants through pregnancy and also anybody who managed to come off of them even after being on them for many years.

Thank you.

[snowbanana]

I was told not take anything before 12 weeks have gone. I was told that no doctor will describe AD's to me before that. I got depressed when I got pregnant. I went through the whole pregnancy without meds. It was awful. But luckily my depression could suddenly disappear and be away a week or so, and then come back. I got support from the perinatal mental health team. They were really good and actually they had time to listen to you. It was possible to get some coucelling as well, but I was too tired to get myself to go anywhere.

[Queenofknickers]

Two of my friends got pregnant on mirtazapine and were told to come off it straight away- they went on to have healthy babies. I would get advice on the mirtazapibe straight away (out of hours gp?). However dont dispair as there are alternatives. I took fluoxetine (Prozac) in both my pregnancies (healthy boys aged 7 and 9 now) and I think it has been shown to be safe in pregnancy now. It wasn't when I took it but to not to take it would have put my life at risk if you see what I mean. Have you got a good GP? You may just need to swap to another anti depressant during pregnancy.

[tabbycat15]

I took Sertraline & Olanzapine whilst pregnant under the guidance of my psychiatrist. I would ring your surgery. & explain to the receptionist that you are pregnant & need to know immediately what to do about your medication. You might be able to speak to a Dr over the phone.
There are anti depressants that are considered 'safe' to take.

[flowerbomb1982]

hi I am going to ring my surgery Monday and either ask for an emergency appt or for the doctor to give me a telephone consultation. I am 5 weeks gone on the digital pregnancy test. I feel I can stop the Mirtazapine as its only 15mg at night it hasnt done much for depression but has helped me to sleep. The other medication I am taking SSRI Cipralex is in the same class as Prozac/Fluoxetine. Im more than willing to try and reduce this if the GP thinks it for the best however Im very worried they will tell me to just STOP and not give me another prescription to wean off of it.

Has anybody been on Cipralex whilst pregnant ??