If I get pregnant whilst taking anti depressants does my GP have to advise social services?

[Kavanne]

Hello all, new here. Ive been taking citalopram for years. Recently I've been trying to reduce my dose with a view to getting off it totally but after going from 40mg slowly down to 10mg it became clear I was not going to be able to come off. I'm now fine on 20mg. I wanted to get off it as my partner and I may try for children in the next year or two and I know there can be some risks in pregnancy associated with SSRIs.

My question is, because I am taking anti depressants will my gp be obliged to inform social services of my pregnancy?

I can't see why. I should think social services have enough to do. I had a serious mental health breakdown during my pregnancy, great support from the perinatal team and I never had a sniff from social services.

Mine didn't a couple of years ago. I was taking 20mg Citalopram when I accidentally got pregnant, continued through pregnancy with the blessing of GP, obstetrician and paediatrician and was cleared to breast feed (which didn't work out for other reasons). They did have us stay in for two days after birth but that was due to being diagnosed with depression not the treatment for it. This was Lincolnshire.

No they don't.

No why would they? The baby isn't at risk of harm. Get yourself on a pregnancy friendly antidepressant and think no more if it !

Social worker here - no, they won't. Don't worry

Mental health nurse here- certainly not!

Midwife here - also no! It's very common and citalopram is normally safe in pregnancy.

I am constantly saddened by how many MNs think social services will be involved if they are suffering from a MH condition. So many posts from mothers afraid to see their GP with a MH issue in case social workers are involved and their children removed, and now the OP thinks the GP might inform them because she is thinking of getting pregnant and is on ADs. I just don't know where people get these ideas from - nothing could be further from the truth.

Retired social worker here and a frustrated one!

Thanks for your replies everyone, has put my mind at ease. I was stressing myself out so much thinking I can't have kids if I can't get off anti depressants but if I can relax about it I will probably have a better chance of not needing them!

Another one saying no. I have bipolar and got pregnant whilst taking anti psychotics and anti depressants, after being admitted to a psychiatric hospital after my first child and I wasn't referred to social services. In fact this time I became very low and had thoughts of ending my own and my baby's lives, been admitted to psychiatric hospital again and still no referral to ss.

I know people who are social workers, parents AND on anti-depressants, so they would have to report themselves then, wouldn't they?

Another mental health clinician here saying 'absolutely not'!! Speak to your GP about your medication and your hopes of getting pregnant- if the GP would like advice around your meds and becoming pregnant, they can get direct advice from your local mental health access team.
Best of luck!