Citalopram in pregnancy

[sj257]

I was on citalopram for anxiety when I got pregnant. However I had an idea that I might be pregnant so hadn't taken it for a couple of weeks when I found out so the doctor advised staying off it and seeing how i got on. I am now 15+2 and had an appointment with a registrar at the hospital today. I have felt anxious on and off since stopping the tablets with 3 or 4 particularly bad episodes. It has got to the point where I am having more bad days than good so I discussed restarting citalopram today. I got myself worked up when there was mention of a small chance of heart defects. The midwife reassured me that the benefits outweigh the risks and that as all the major organs have formed by now things should be OK. I just feel like I'm trapped now between either feeling ill or potentially harming my baby. I have two other children who are sensing my low mood 😞

Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

[NovemberInDailyFailLand]

I'm on another similar medication and have taken it throughout. Dr and Consultant are happy with this.
I think the benefits far outweigh the risks - I'm 29 weeks with my 3rd and I do believe we need to feel OK and be on top of things to cope with the demands of motherhood, so put yourself first.

[sj257]

I'm hoping so, it's just so hard not to feel guilty about it x

[as171007]

I was on citalopram 40mg and the doctor told me it wasn't licensed for pregnancy, I came off it and the withdrawals were horrendous but thankfully all gone now...there is other medication that is licensed for pregnancy I think you should go and have a chat with your gp

[sj257]

The registrar went to check with the consultant who said citalopram was ok to prescribe

[OneForTheRoadThen]

I took Citalopram throughout my pregnancy. I was under a consultant who told me that there were 3 anti-depressants that are considered safe for pregnancy - Citalopram, Fluoxetine and one other I can't remember. I was on paroxetine before which was brilliant but not considered safe so I was advised to switch.

I was on 30mg of Citalopram which is a little higher than the usual dose and I was worried too, especially at the effects the information leaflet say can happen to your baby. I asked my consultant about this and he said he had never had that happen to a patient.

Obviously it is really worrying and totally up to you but I found it really helped me to stay on the anti depressants while I was pregnant. I had terrible pregnancy anxiety and I'm not sure I would have coped without them. My little boy is now 9 weeks old and, as far as I can tell, perfect

[RochelleGoyle]

A medication not being licensed for use during pregnancy does not mean it should never be prescribed, it means that the doctor and patient need to weigh up the pros/cons. Plenty of women take Citalopram (and a multitude of other drugs which aren't specifically licensed for use during pregnancy) with no ill affects to the baby at all. Try not to feel guilty OP - the Consultant has given the nod, so it's obviously what they consider best.

[sj257]

I've just gone to take one but I can't do it 😔 I read the leaflet in the box saying the baby could have pulmonary hypertension and a big long list of other things to do with withdrawal after birth like fits etc. I feel physically sick. I feel stuck and scared. 😢

[canary1]

Just take it, many have without a problem. A bigger problem if you become v anxious. While it will never be studied in pregnancy in a double blind trial, many many case studies without a problem. Take it so you can remain well through your pregnancy as well as look after your other 2 children. Discuss with your doc if you should reduce to stop coming up to EDD, to restart after delivery. Take care of yourself xxx

[LBNM19]

I was switched from Citalopram to setraline both for anxiety and the mental health team told me setraline was better to take not sure why. Maybe you can look into that?

My son is nearly 2 now and is fine and I took it from around 16 weeks x

[RochelleGoyle]

OP if it helps, consider the long list of scary possible side effects which comes with every medication. Then ask yourself - have you every suffered any of these? The chances of your baby being affected are tiny and even if he/she were, the medical profession is pretty brilliant these days. No medication is entirely risk free but the most consistent advice I've heard is healthy mum equals healthy baby.

[RochelleGoyle]

*ever, sorry.

[Karmin]

I am on 100mg daily of Sertraline, it comes with a similar leaflet and I am currently 34 weeks pregnant. The risks to baby are absolutely tiny, think about the increased risks to baby if you don't take them, is the way my doctor explained it to me, she said something along the lines of the baby is plugged into you, what you are feeling they also feel it is better for the baby to feel relaxed and happier than to feel anxiety and blues there is a study about it here

Sertraline is one of the ones with the least side effects to baby, but we are talking 1% risk instead of 1.5% (not sure of exact figures but it is supposed to be a tiny difference)

I feel guilty every day, my unborn child has been exposed to my Gestational Diabetes - fairly well diet controlled, Codeine Phosphate since 18 weeks for both Migraines and PGP - I take a minimum of 30mg a day sometimes up to 90mg on bad days. Sertraline for my depression and anxiety. All of which has been signed off by the doctor and all of which has been determined that the risks to me not taking it outweigh the risks of me taking it.

Trust your medical providers, talk to them and do your own research and then ask them questions to clarify. But it is better that your baby is born to a mother who is mentally well and coping rather than falling apart - at least that is what I keep telling myself.

[twinmamma2b]

My GP and midwife both said for me to keep taking my citalopram. They said that coming off it could exacerbate the hormones and they would prefer me to be on an even keel. So far, so good. Trust the consultant - it will be fine.

[LondonStill83]

I am 30 weeks and taking citalopram. The risks are so minimal. Much worse for you to be anxious!!!

[kamillaw]

The thing is you need to feel well in pregnancy and get to the bit where you have your baby in arms without being a big ball of anxiety/depression. I've taken it in all my pregnancies all babies fine and most recently was monitored closely for withdrawals. (Baby bit jittery but passed after 48 hours) took 30mg xx

[DrWhy]

Midwife is keen for me to go back on ADs (have been off them since pre-pregnancy). Dr has said that Citalopram is OK for pregnancy but he'd prefer Setraline as its better for breastfeeding. I am not taking them yet as a lot of my stress this time round is situational and was meant to be resolved this Monday, now Wednesday- if I'm still struggling after that I'll take them.
It's s catch 22, I feel bad that I've exposed my baby to all my grief and stress and this gives him a higher risk of his own mental health issues and being a stressed out baby. You can only weigh up the balance for youself.