Fluoxetine - consultant has worried me

[wkmmum]

So, saw the consultant today (well, her registrar). They wanted to see me as I have multiple sclerosis. I'm on fluoxetine as I have a history of post natal depression and currently have pre natal depression. She said that when the baby's born (I'm 13 weeks) she wants the paediatricians to check him/her because of being on fluoxetine.

Didn't think much of it at the time but as the day's gone on I've been thinking and got more and more worried. Does that mean that the fluoxetine could cause problems for the baby or do some sort of harm? I've been discharged from the consultant now so can't ask them. But I'm seriously thinking of stopping the fluoxetine xx

I am pregnant with my third and have been on fluoxatine on all of them. First two text book pregnancy and labour, healthy weight etc. 11+2 weeks with this one and so far so good. They just like to be better safe and sorry, anti-d's can sometimes cause small birth weight but my children were 7lb7 and 7lb13 so both good weights, other than that there are no other risks that I am aware of.

Hi wkmmum I have M.E. so was on a multitude of medication when fell pregnant, the main ones being Duloxetine and Trazodone, both are anti-depressants. I have a fantastic consultant at the ME clinic I go to who thoroughly researched my meds. There is some slight risk of baby having withdrawal or breathing problems at birth but when he showed me the actual data it was less than 1% and when you looked in more detail those with problems also had some other factor during pregnancy such as using drugs, suicide attempt etc. This has put my mind at rest as statistically my medication has less risk on my baby than if I was not on the medication. I have weaned the Duloxetine as they were unsure of the effect of BOTH meds together. Also, when I saw the obstetrician she said that Fluoxetine was one of their preferred medications for depression in pregnancy & suggested I try switching over. So I hope that reassures you. The biggest clincher for me in deciding to stay on my meds is that if I had withdrawal problems or depression in pregnancy or indeed after, it would be far more damaging to my baby than being on the medication.

I hope all tat makes sense & helps put your mind at rest, they are just being extra careful.

Hi wkmmum,

I was on fluoxetine when I got pregnant (currently 20+6) and my GP took me off it "experimentally". However my MW was much more reasurring about it and said if I needed it I should have no qualms about going back on it as a large number of her clients take fluoxetine throughout pregnancy and the babies have no problems.

I haven't had to take it again as my depression hasn't returned, but if it did I would ask to be put back on it in a heartbeat.

I googled and researched the risks and they are pretty low, but they can't properly quantify them due to the lack of trials on pregnant women.

Hiya,

When I was pregnant with my now three year old I had a brilliant consultant who said fluoxetine well researched so don't worry. I actually took amitryptyline which is the other safe one but both fine x

Don't come off it! I had terrible antenatal depression last time around and was put on Fluoxetine, then came off suddenly because my Consultant worried me that it could aggravate my blood clotting problem. I had a total breakdown and ended up in a psych unit, but at least I got proper help and started taking mirtazapine which I then successfully took throughout the pg and all through bf. I also went for talking therapies which although it seemed a complete arse, must have helped because I am now pg again and have been fine and off meds for nearly a year.

My DD was born at 32 weeks and the Drs said it could have been due to the meds, but was just as likely to be due to the depression itself. With hindsight I would absolutely take meds again if I needed to during a pg, the alternative is much worse.

Try to keep yourself well. Good luck x

I was taking Fluoxetine before pregnancy (issues with PND/relationship breakdown with DD's father and hadn't stopped). Was made to feel like I couldn't take it anymore so stopped suddenly. Oh how I regret this. Am 11 weeks now and feel utterly crap. I would give anything to be back on them, feel like I'm completely falling apart. Have been to doc/midwife and nurse and mentioned how I'm feeling and I just get fobbed off and 'oh you'll feel better after first trimester'. And now its like I am not allowed anything even though I'm not coping. If I could turn back time I dont think I would have let them pressure me into stopping them- the health of mum is vital to health of babba- mentally as well. I feel like everyone around me is suffering too at the mo.

Anyway enough of my selfish rambling, what I'm trying to say is be careful- for the first few weeks I felt ok- and ever since i've been in a mess. I wouldn't want to wish this upon anyone. I really hope you get the help you need and everything works out ok for you.

(unmumsnety hugs)

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all your replies - they've been really useful. Saw my GP on Wednesday and spoke to her about it. She said there's a slight risk of the baby withdrawing when it's born but as I'm planning to breast feed that shouldn't happen. She also said that she thinks coming off the fluoxetine is a really bad idea as I need to be on it.

At the mo I'm still on it although despite all the reassurance I'm still not happy about it. I seem to be worrying about every tiny thing at the mo and no matter how small any risk to the baby is, I still worry that's it's too big a risk. I feel like I'm a really bad mum for putting this stuff into my body and passing it on to the baby. I was on a load of meds for other stuff when I fell pregnant and have had to come off it all. But now I'm taking something else. I don't know...need to think more but I'm still seriously thinking about stopping it xx

You're not a bad mum. You're looking after yourself, which is the only way you can look after that baby until it is born, then you still need to look after yourself because he or she will need you, functioning (and not blank or numbed). If the fluoxetine isn't working/doesn't feel right ask for a referral to a psychiatrist and try something else. Nothing is proved safe in pg because it would be unethical to conduct a study with pg women but there is plenty of evidence suggesting that the risk to the baby is minimal, because for some people pregnancy is shite and they need a helping hand to get through it.

If you come off it suddenly it is likely you will hit the wall - I looked into it after what happened to me and apparently it is a well known side effect.

Hope things get better x