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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Citalopram in pregnancy

17 replies

Fishtanki · 01/02/2019 10:30

I’m 28w pregnant and have just been prescribed Citalopram to help manage depression and anxiety.

Has anyone else used Citalopram in pregnancy? If so, do you think this has had any affect on your baby? I’m so worried about risks for the baby’s brain development.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fishtanki · 01/02/2019 11:13

Anyone? I read that babies might not be able to breathe when they’re born and that there’s a (slightly) higher risk of autism. I’ve done a lot of reading but just want to know people’s experiences. Thank you.

OP posts:
whitetoblerone · 01/02/2019 13:16

No experience but didn't want to just leave your post unanswered.

I assume the doctor prescribed the Citalopram and is aware you're pregnant? Besides the fact you'll be clearly pregnant at 28w! I'm sure they wouldn't prescribe you anything that could have a detrimental effect on your unborn baby.

ILikePaperHats · 01/02/2019 13:20

I was advised to come off antidepressants in pregnancy. Why would you risk it? Your doctor should have discussed talking therapies or mindfulness/meditation/yoga instead to help with your anxiety, rather than go down the medication route.

London91 · 01/02/2019 14:04

I was on citalopram when I found out I was pregnant and was advised by doctor to come off it slowly. If your doctor has prescribed it to you they probably feel the benefits outweigh the risks. If you're concerned maybe book another appointment and discuss them.

FraterculaArctica · 01/02/2019 14:06

Yes, I took citalopram throughout my second pregnancy and breastfeeding. Absolutely no issues. There are really no concretely known risks.

Original poster
Fishtanki · 01/02/2019 15:11

Thank you all for your replies. I’ve been trying to get better for a long time by myself but am struggling. Have talking therapies arranged but not started yet. The GP is aware I’m pregnant but said that he can’t really help me to make a decision about the risks. But my antenatal HCPs have said they are worried about me and if I’m feeling so low already, they are worried about the post-birth hormonal dip and how that may affect me.

“Why risk it?” Because I might not be here if I don’t.

OP posts:
CrabbyPatty · 01/02/2019 19:09

I'm on Citalopram and currently 39 weeks with a healthy pregnancy. GPs are often overly cautious and recommend stopping in pregnancy. However, specialists in perinatal mental health usually disagree. Its an individual decision. There is a slight increased risk of heart defects (but this is low) equally there are risks with certain foods, other choices etc and millions of other factors that impact on risk. A major risk factor for infants and women is poor maternal mental health so it's better this is managed well. It sounds like this is right for you OP. I've been lucky enough to see an obstetrician who specialises in perinatal mental health and she encouraged me to continue on Citalopram and is also supportive of me continuing whilst breast feeding. Good luck OP. X

MrsDilligaf · 01/02/2019 20:57

I took Citalopram throughout my pregnancy (10mg daily) my DD is three later on this month, she's absolutely fine, healthy, happy, bright as a button and utterly beautiful.

I spoke to my GP at length about taking it, and she alleviated all of my concerns. It was the correct course of action for me. My anxiety was (and still is) an issue but as CrabbyPatty says above my mental health, ante and post nataly, was important and the risks presented to me were minimal.

Best of luck.

Jt123 · 01/02/2019 21:39

Hi I took 20mg citalopram throughout my pregnancy with my now 7yr old, the only thing I can say I noticed was a type of shaking/shivering when he was born it lasted over a month but he was fine after that, I did feel really guilty but can honestly say the dr was right for keeping me on it, he’s my golden boy he was as happy as can be and so was I, well we still are. Hope this helps x

Supergrassyknoll · 01/02/2019 22:07

I did and it was the least of my worries since I'd been on warfarin for the first 9 weeks not knowing I was pregnant, my boy is fine, don't worry about it

Original poster
Fishtanki · 02/02/2019 09:29

Thank you so much for all the positive helpful replies Smile

OP posts:
TakingtheLeap · 02/02/2019 10:22

Hi OP. I am facing a similar decision to you. What I've been told (by specialists in perinatal mental health) is that many of the risks associated with taking SSRIs (of which Citalopram is one) in pregnancy are linked with taking it during the first trimester when a lot of important development is going on. And even then the risks are still sufficiently low that many specialists take the line that it's more important to take care of mum's mental health. (Indeed there is also research to suggest that SSRIs may be positive as there are also risks for the baby associated with the increased adrenaline etc which depression and anxiety causes).

My doctors suggested I wait until after my 20 week scan mainly for my peace of mind - so I'd know that any defects it might catch had definitely not been caused by my medication. All went fine at the scan and I'm now trying to decide what to do. Evidence does point to withdrawal symptoms for baby after birth (though these are temporary and seem to cause no permanent harm) and I'm having to balance that with the thought of going into the postnatal period without medication or just starting them at birth (and suffering side effects which can increase anxiety and depression).

I've also been recommended to take Sertraline rather than Citalopram. It's an older SSRI so there is more evidence on it. More importantly it also appears in breastmilk in much lower levels than Citalopram. That said, if Citalopram works for you (and my understanding is it has fewer side effects), the evidence suggests fairly minimal side effects from its presence in breastmilk and it seems to me to be equally safe in pregnancy.

The website "bumps" (Google bumps + medication in pregnancy) has really good syntheses of evidence for all different types of drugs.

And why risk it? Because YOUR health matters, and if you need antidepressants to be happy and healthy in pregnancy and emotionally resilient for childbirth and having a newborn you should bloody well take them and feel no shame.

Original poster
Fishtanki · 02/02/2019 11:06

Thank you TakingtheLeap Smile sorry that you’re facing the same difficult choice Flowers

As stupid as it sounds, it’s so nice to be reminded that “my health matters”. I’m always guilty of putting everyone else first and not taking care of myself or my own needs. Thank you.

OP posts:
Charlottie01 · 04/02/2021 20:59

Hi Everyone,
I was prescribed Citalopram 20mg ( Anti depressant) after a difficult time in my life that contributed greatly to depression and anxiety for me, I was on this medication for about 2/3 years. I'm now pregnant ( unplanned), I would NEVER have planned for this whilst on anti depressants, however it has happened. When I found out I was pregnant, it was coming to end of 1st Trimester, I took myself straight off when I knew! I'm coping with other support talk therapies etc which are helping my mood.

I'm really concerned as I have read studies linking anti depressants to autism in babies. I can't sleep but I need to know the facts / truth. I don't need to hear opinions but facts - pregnant women who have been on this or their friend s/family etc and their experiences?

Thank you so much.

CheeseandWine91 · 05/02/2021 11:06

I'm on 10mg citalopram and I can assure you that not being on them would be 100 times worse for baby due to the hormone that's realised if you suffer with anxiety. My midwife was insistent I was put on something as my anxiety, particular around 10-13 week mark of my pregnancy, was through the roof and probably doing more damage than 10mg of citalopram ever could. I think you are doing the right thing by looking after your own mental health, the chances of it having an impact on baby are so so slim.

I'm annoyed by the term "why risk it?"... because you as the mother are just as important, if you're unwell, what chance does your baby have?

Charlottie01 · 20/02/2021 11:49

@CheeseandWine91,

What do you think this anxiety/stress hormone would do to the baby?
I'm trying to weigh up the pros and cons.

Charlottie01 · 20/02/2021 11:49

@CheeseandWine91,

What do you think this anxiety/stress hormone would do to the baby?
I'm trying to weigh up the pros and cons.

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