Cipramil in pregnancy - any advice??

[sannah]

Hi - wonder if anyone can help me....Was prescribed cipramil for nasty bout of PND after my first baby was born. Have taken it before and it works really well for me. Am still on 10mgs a day now (year after starting)and had been phasing it out as we were thinking about trying for another baby. Anyway, have just found out that I'm pregnant again which is great news but over the last few days have been feeling increasingly anxious and can feel the beginning of another low mood. Cant believe it!! I was sort of prepared to deal with another bout of PND but had not banked on feeling rubbish during pregnancy. I know its still really early (I am only 5 weeks) but I'm feeling really reluctant about giving up the medication completely because of how I'm feeling, but also am worried sick about how the cipramil might affect my baby. Haven't yet spoken to my dr about this but just wondered if anyone has experience of taking an antidepressant (cipramil/ citalopram in particular) during preganancy and breastfeeding. I would really appreciate any advice. Thank you

[abracadabra]

I can't give medical advice, just personal experience. I was on tricyclics throughout my pregnancy and during breastfeeding (high doses at times) - my dd is now nearly nine months and seems fine. I was advised to take tricyclics as they have been around longer than SSRIs so more is known about them - however I think some SSRIs are considered safe, so try not to worry but obviously you need to get proper advice ASAP. Good luck

[sannah]

Thanks for that - its reassuring just to know that other people have taken anti - deps during pregnancy and babies seem to be fine. Saw gp today who said best ssri to take is prozac as been around the longest and so more research, but might not be good for me or baby to switch and risk relapse. Nightmare. Dose I'm on at the momnet is low so hopefully will be be able able to keep it that way. Am so envious of people for whom depression is just not part of their lives...!

[sannah]

Thanks for that - its reassuring just to know that other people have taken anti - deps during pregnancy and babies seem to be fine. Saw gp today who said best ssri to take is prozac as been around the longest and so more research, but might not be good for me or baby to switch and risk relapse. Nightmare. Dose I'm on at the momnet is low so hopefully will be be able able to keep it that way. Am so envious of people for whom depression is just not part of their lives...!

[mummytosteven]

I took Prozac during PG (I pretty much chose it as per your GP's reasoning), and DS was fine. It is very difficult to advise as it is such an individual choice, balancing the risks/quality of life issues of a mum when PG having untreated depression against the possible risks of the meds (docs are rightfully uber cautious about any drugs in PG). is your doc planning to refer you to a psychiatrist - as they could probably advise better about the meds in PG issue.