Quandary

[Sparkydo]

So I saw a psychiatrist and he basically said he thinks I needs medication for my depression and so has suggested I restart the citalopram 20mg I was on before I got pregnant - I'm now 21 weeks. He's suggested citalopram as we know it works for me and he thinks they're all much the same. He also said I can breast feed when the baby's born, which is important to me.

So I don't know what to do - do I tough it out without meds and be unhappy for the rest of my pregnancy, with subsequent increased risks of stillbirth, premature labour, low birth weight, PND and poor bonding/development etc? Or I do I take the citalopram, which I feel so guilty about doing and feel like I've failed in some way - risking withdrawal symptoms in the baby and a tiny (0.5% more) increased risk that the baby may be born with a potentially fatal heart condition?

My husband is great - he just wants me to be happy - but he's kind of left the decision up to me, which makes me feel like I'm on my own in making this decision and makes me feel even more isolated.

Any thoughts?

having been in a similar position and ended up taking the meds, I wouldn't make any decision for you, but I would take the psychs view very seriously, clearly he feels that the risks to you and the baby and effect on your quality of life are greater in not taking the meds. btw I was told that bfing would help reduce any withdrawal symptoms. Good luck with the rest of your PG, if you decide not to take the meds, look at other support - counselling/relaxation classes etc.

Can I ask something Sparkydo? Has you depression been constant or have you had good times in your pregnancy? I have had two depression episodes and one short episode I felt fine. I feel fine now, at 12 weeks, but scared if depression comes back, as it did already once. I was trying to get meds but nobody wanted to describe them to me.

Thanks tocha - I know no-one can make my decision for me but it's nice to know there are other people in my position out there. I think I'm more inclined to go with the meds now I've seen the psychiatrist but still not sure...

bansku I have had some good times during the pregnancy but I think my depression has always been there and has been getting gradually worse. I can't be certain but I think the main reason is the fact that I'm not on my meds any more, rather than the fact that I'm pregnant, IYSWIM. I find depression is rather a slow problem rather than a sudden worsening. I went to my MW, who sent me to the community mental health team (your GP can do this too) - if you feel you need help see them, if they seem unwilling to help ask for a referral to mental health - you should be seen quite quickly if pregnant as everyone worries about PND.

Thanks for replying.
x

yep, my depression started almost the day i got pregnant. My mood can switch from depression to ok within couple of hours. the other way round goes slower.