Anxiety following traumatic birth and want another baby

[ruth2010]

Please help.
After two years of trying to conceive with PCOS I had a really traumatic birth in Feb which resulted in my baby being disabled. I tried an antidepressant - Citalopram but couldn't handle the side effects, even on 10mg. I've struggled on taking Kalms and sometimes beta-blockers. I also have therapy.

I really want another baby and am due to start fertility treatment in december (Clomid). Since arranging this I have become really anxious and don't know how I am going to deal with disappointment and the waiting each month - never mind the pregnancy.
I'd like to try another anti-depressant that helps with both anxiety and depression & safe during pregnancy. Can anyone help me?

Sorry, i have been on citalopram for a long time and got on ok with it. there are so many ADs out there though, your doctor will be able to find one that suits you. You sound as if you do need some drug support to help you throiugh the tough time and there is no shame in that. If your GP is no help, change to one that is. Good luck x

You have been through such a lot, it's an ordeal conceiving with PCOS in the first place and then to have to go through a traumatic birth that affected your baby so badly is just awful.

I couldn't handle citalopram either, gave me the shakes, insomnia, vomiting, anxiety - the works. Made me so much worse, I couldn't hack it and stopped after 3 tablets (and I am normally a very compliant patient, but this was too much!!(

I found mirtazapine really helped me, because it is more of a "calming" AD rather than an "activating" one. However, they don't really recommend it in pregnancy - I am TTC myself at the moment, and have been struggling for months and months to get off it. Still on a tiny dose and can't seem to shake it for good.

I've heard of several friends who've been given sertraline during pregnancy - supposed to also be one of the safest for b/feeding. However, it is the same type as citalopram so you may get similar side effects.... or you may not. It's often a case of a bit of trial and error with ADs unfortunately.x

Hi - I think it is fluoxetine that is meant to be good in pregnancy and sertraline for breastfeeding, but do check that with your gp. Mirtazapine is a 2nd line AD so I would think it is unlikely you would get offered that or venlaflazine (also an SNRI rather than the SSRI of fluoxetine or sertraline) if you were ttc~2, but those are just my thoughts. I could tolerate fluoxetine and sertraline but not citalopram physically so might be worth asking your gp - as you will know after a few weeks if you can tolerate them.

Sorry, meant to say sorry about your difficult birth and hope all goes well with ttc. It is good you have therapy to support you through those 2ww's etc. I will be on an AD if I am able to have ICSI in the next few months.

Thanks for your replies and your kindness,

I am going to have a chat with my GP and give an AD a go on a small dose.

Ruth - that sounds a good idea. Hope Gp helpful.