SSRIs and pregnancy

[CatFlop]

Pre-TTC here, trying to work out if it is a good idea for us. Can I ask please... if you took SSRIs medication for anxiety or depression pre-pregnancy, did you come off it when TTC? Why/why not? The reason I ask is that when I am on medication (Citalopram) for my anxiety I feel very capable and often feel that I would be able to cope with pregnancy and enjoy being a mum! But I'm so worried about coming off it, whenever I try reducing my dose I just lose that capable feeling completely and go off the idea, yet I think doctors will recommend I do that when TTC because there are some risks. Thanks for your thoughts!

I came off Citalopram when initially TTC. It took a while and I got much worse in myself so I went back on. When I got pregnant I came off. Once again my mental health declined and so I went onto Sertraline at around 20 weeks. Now 35 weeks, still on Sertraline and have no intention of coming off. I intend to breastfeed.

Basically, TTC and pregnancy can be a huge curve ball for your mental health. Do not feel badly if you need medication to get through either.

Thanks, that's helpful to hear. If Sertraline is working well for you it sounds very sensible to stay on it. Did the doctors recommend Sertraline instead of going back on Cit for any particular reason?

@CatFlop I was on citalopram up until I found out I was pregnant. I decided to come off because my psychiatrist told me about some minor risks in using SSRI's in pregnancy which I didn't feel was worth the risk for me. I'm also on anti psychotics which I have remained on as the only risk is withdrawal effects for the baby, but I feel like they're definitely helping to mask the loss of the citalopram.
It's really important your mental health doesn't decline whilst pregnant, and thereafter so try to weigh up your pros and cons. But don't feel bad for taking them whilst pregnant, we all need an extra hand sometimes xx

I took citalopram before and through my last pregnancy at 40mg dose. Did try to reduce against my doctors advice and it didn't work very well so I had to up my dosage again. Absolutely no problems with DS. I'm currently pregnant again and still taking citalopram. No intention of messing about with it this time. What is your doctors advice?

Generally with Citalopram if you’ve been taking it prior to pregnancy then the Consultant won’t ask you to stop during, unless you have also another condition or conditions that also cause low birth weight. Generally in terms of the risk benefit analysis consultants do, if you are otherwise healthy, then post-natal or antenatal depression / anxiety is considered more harmful than any of of the issues associated with the drug.

However this should be reviewed constantly through pregnancy.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses.

@Chanandlersbong I haven't been to doctor yet, I'm reading around to prepare myself for the conversation. Glad to hear it has been fine with your pregnancies.

Extra issue is that my DH also suffers from similar and we set each other off a bit! If I come off and don't cope it will probably make him worse, which in turn will make me worse! Worries me a bit for future parenting too, although most of the time we work great together and he's v supportive.

I have been on antidepressants since I was 18 but i really wanted to come off them before ttc. Unfortunately I got very ill without them and ended up going back on a low dose before becoming pregnant and stayed on that throughout. Drs repeatedly reassured me that it would be better for me and the baby to stay on them rather than risk getting very ill again. I was very worried about effects it might have on DD but she was fine. Drs were also happy for me to breastfeed. I believe the drug you're on, citalopram, is considered one of the safer SSRIs for using in pregnancy as well.