Antidepressants in pregnancy - should I take - please help!

[BritinUSA]

Hello! I love Mumsnet and so many times have felt 'normal' again after reading posts! I really need so help and advice now and wonder if others have been in the same position. Prior to becoming pregnant I was taking a low-dose anti-depressant to regulate monthly cycle mood swings. They worked brilliantly and I turned from being an irrational, emotional, irritable and generally unhappy person for two weeks of the month into someone who was able to cope with what was later diagnosed as severe PMDD. Contrary to popular belief, pregnancy does not 'protect' you from depression or these types of symptoms, just because the monthly cycle 'goes away'.

I'm 24 weeks and have been trying to tough it out without taking any medication. The net result, I've been unable to sleep for weeks, am constantly anxious, seem to be unable to cope with the slightest upset, am desperately unhappy at work and my relationship with DH is at an all time low. He's been very supportive, but this was one of his greatest fears, me becoming pregnant and then not being able to take medication. Unfortunately this fear and the fall out that goes with it seems to have come true.

My doctor has prescribed a low dose anti-depressant (fluoxetine 20mg) but I have held off taking it. Mainly because the research I have done shows there could be increased risk of pulmonary hypertension and certain developmental delays (babies sitting up unassisted later than babies of mothers who did not take anti-depressants) How on earth do you weigh up the stress / situation now (which is miserable) with the potential harmful effects on your little one (who has no say in this at all?) Should I just tough it out for the next three months, but by then who knows what state I will be and I might not have a supportive DH around to help?

Thanks for your thoughts and insights - I would love to hear them.

The thing is that severe stress can also have bad effects in pregnancy and I really think that if you arent sleeping and it is effecting you to the degree you have said you should take them. i am 18 + 4 atm with my first and when I got preg I was on an anti depressant due to severe depression.

Luckily, at the moment my depression is fairly Ok but I know that if it got to the degree you have got to i would probably go onto prozac as it would probably help you to sleep and if you don't sleep the sleep deprevation can snowball and make your depression worse and worse.

I can't give you specific advice about this medical problem, but when i saw the consultant at the hospital last week he said it was okay for me to take my (strong) hayfever meds because in late pregnancy the baby is just growing and it's organs etc. have developed. I'm 31 weeks so a bit further along, but I can't see why the advice would be different for different medication.

Do you trust your GP? If so, I would take the medication you've been prescribed. If not, can you see another GP, or ask for a second opinion? Have you had a chance to discuss any risks properly, or were you 'in and out' in five minutes? If so, maybe go back and have a longer discussion? It may be that your GP can put your mind at rest.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I'm a strong believer in looking after the 'vessel' - ie you. Having watched one of my closest friends abandon all her meds in her first pregnancy and end up in the Priory straight afterwards, then carry on taking them through her second and having the happiest, stress-free pregnancy and fantastic child imaginable, I think that it's all about you. If you're happy, relaxed and well, your pregnancy stands a better chance of being. By the same principles I am continuing with medications that help my body deal with sugars, and noone has advised me otherwise as I have been so upfront and firm about it.

I agree with the others - check with your GP if you want reassurance, but you are the carrier; the stronger you are, either mentally or physically, the more likely you are to sail through.

Congratulations!

Yes, yes, yes. I'm currently 39+1 and have been taking 20mg citalopram and a small dose of mirtazapine daily - baby has been developing completely normally.

As others have said, you need to look after yourself and in my case, as is probably yours, the risk to you if you don't take the medication outweighs any other risks.

I went cold turkey for the 1st week after I found out I was pregnant and waiting for my dr's appointment. I didn't sleep, I was an emotional wreck and the thought of that for a full 9 months, well, it just wouldn't have happened.

If you're still concerned, I'd recommend having a chat with your midwife/GP. Mine have been great and kept an extra eye on me throughout my pregnancy. I never, ever thought I'd get this far but I have. Had I not have been taking my tablets, I seriously doubt I would have coped. I don't like taking them, but I accept I need them,

And yes, a huge congratulations to you! You'll be fine, I'm sure