TTC AFTER ANTI DEPRESSANTS - HOW LONG SHOULD YOU WAIT?

[Sarahx2005]

Hi,
I just want some general advice as I'm a bit concerned about a friend of mine. She has two children 5 and almost 2 and she's been on anti-depressants since her youngest child was born. She's recently stopped taking them (within about the last 4 weeks)as she's only just felt ready to stop taking them and she's already trying to conceive. I advised her not to try yet, I wanted her to see how she could cope for a while off the drugs before she added the complication of pregnancy hormones and then a new baby.
I would have thought her doctor would have advised her to wait at least 3 months for the drugs to be out of her system like you do with most drugs including the pill?
Any advice would be really welcome.
Sarah xx

[starlover]

i don't think that getting drugs out of your system is necessarily a problem as many anti-depressants can be used during pregnancy.

I also heard on tv the other day that you shouldn't wait after coming off the pill as you are more fertile straight after coming off it!!!

I personally found that pregnancy hormones were FANTASTIC for me, and have not gone back on anti-d's since!

[Sarahx2005]

I actually conceived my second child within 2 weeks of stopping taking the pill, not that I had a problem conceiving any of them! LOL
How long after stopping taking them did you conceive? There are lots of other factors too that concern me which I can't really mention on here - but one is that her husband could lose his job at any moment and thought it would be sensible to sort that first, she needs to avoid any potential stress I think.
Sarah x

[starlover]

i stopped them becaue i had conceived! was 6 weeks pregnant when i found out, so stopped taking them.
i was on pill as well! lol

i realise your worries for your friend, but sometimes it can be the opposite... having a baby may HELP with the depression and give her something to look forwards to and work towards.

[Nemo1977]

HI
i concieed on anti ds so stopped them..unfortunately i had a missed mc so decided not to go back on anti ds as i knew i wanted to ttc. I had been off them 3mths when i had concieved this time...it does depend what anti depressants she is on as some are safe in pregnancy.

[Sarahx2005]

I think if I'd have spent the last two years on anti-d's I'd certainly want to give myself time and space to just be 'me' before I went and did something as life changing as getting pregnant! She struggles with hubby and two kids at the mo, can't imagine how she'll manage with a baby too!
Sarah x