Success stories please, any ladies on meds before preggies who have had a baby

[browngirl40]

Hello
I have mental health problems but am broody, have been for years. I'm now on meds that are safe for having a baby but am worried will I still be me after having baby? And also coping with baby.

I haven’t but I think you are doing the right thing asking for experiences. You might be lucky and have an easy baby but my first was so hard that I hallucinated at least twice through shear tiredness.

It’s worth thinking about what support you would have with the baby and what you would do if you did find yourself slipping again.

I have. Tried all of the ssri’s over the years. Sertraline is considered the safest in pregnancy; it didn’t agree with me so continued with fluoxetine throughout both of my pregnancies. I see a lot of “maybe if you have mental health issues you shouldn’t be thinking about having a child...” pees me off! Just because someone suffers with anxiety/depression doesn’t mean they can’t be good parents! I’m not going to lie... it’s tough. I thought my anxiety was bad until I had kids - 100 times worse now! I’m with my GP constantly and currently going through cbt with a psychologist but it’s worth it. Your midwife would be aware and can refer you to the mental health team during pregnancy/after if you do struggle. For me personally pregnancy was horrific both times and the weeks following the births when all of your hormones are settling down, that was rough but being aware of your mental health issue and a good relationship with the medical professionals is key! Good luck

I came off antidepressants in order to get pregnant, and was prepared for the 9 months to be incredibly difficult. They weren't. It was bizarre, like the shift in hormones recalibrated my brain, i didn't have any depressive symptoms throughout my pregnancy, and now 4 months later i still haven't. I'm still unmedicated and apart from having my arse kicked by the 4 month sleep regression, im the happiest ive been in a decade.

@Larabelle6 I have heard that anxiety is worse after pregnancy. Due to my age and the fact I've mental health problems I was thinking I would only have one child, so then I could look after the child and focus on my mental health as well.