Antidepressants

[saltandvinegar33]

Hi all!

I'm just looking for some advice or reassurance maybe.

So basically I'm 22 weeks pregnant now and I'm strongly considering starting back on my antidepressants, I've spoke to my gp and midwife and they've both advised it's fine but I still can't shake the feeling off that I'm doing something terrible if I take them?

I don't know anyone around me that has taken them during pregnancy, and you don't often hear of it and when I've googled it I mainly get the impression you shouldn't take them, but then I'm conflicted with the thought of daily panic attacks won't be good for the baby either.

If anyone could offer some positive stories of taking antidepressants whilst pregnant that would be great.

I've worked with tons of pregnant women who have taken antidepressants whilst pregnant and their babies have been fine. I haven't worked with any whose babies have had problems from them. Healthcare profesionnals are massively cautious when it comes to the health of a baby. So they wouldn't say lightly that it's fine. A mum with significant mental health problems is much worse for the baby than antidepressants during pregnancy. If you are struggling I'd listen to them. There are a couple of antidepressants that have been researched loads and are known to be safe. Sending you hugs. Hope the rest of your pregnancy will feel a bit easier.

Hi!

I don’t usually reply to anything but I couldn’t pass your post by without replying.

I am pregnant with second baby and went through the same cycle of worry as you before deciding to start to take the antidepressants. I feel much better after a few weeks of taking them after being at a very very low point. Also something to note is while the side effects I found to be horrible to start with, they’ve now totally settled. I feel the best I have in months.

Of course each antidepressant has risks attached to it. I am taking sertraline which has a small associated increased risk of some heart defects and other very rare conditions. It is impossible to undertake flawless methodology on pregnant women due to ethics, but the research I was informed about my the professionals caring for me made me assess my own risk.

It is a very personal decision to take antidepressants at all and even more difficult to make that decision in pregnancy. One factor which helped me to make my decision to take them was my psychiatrist informed me of research about outcomes of babies who have depressed mothers. Apparently the research shows that untreated depressed mothers have babies who perform worse at school or are more likely to have behavioural problems than treated depressed mothers.

Something else to consider is to ask for a talking therapy referral. NICE guidelines says you should be referred within six weeks if you are pregnant.

Sending lots of love and luck to you. I really hope you feel better soon!

Thank you so so much for your replies, they really did bring comfort and reassurance. I think deep down I know I need to take them because living in a constant state of anxiety isn't nice and I already have a DS and I worry that it'll affect him. I don't think it helps that my partner isn't supportive of it and doesn't want me to start taking them again and I know if I was to cause any problems to the baby he'd always blame me 😔

It's just such a horrible way to feel.

I agree with the PP's OP.
I am currently on 40mg on citalopram, have been for 5 years, just because I'm too lazy to get a review or get myself off them.

I'm about 5 weeks and am tapering off them, HOWEVER, I am going to be very conscious of my mental health throughout this.

The risk to you suffering and having panic attacks etc seems greater to me than any slim risk of physical harm with the medication. Try not to worry. Congratulations!

@saltandvinegar33 Google 'mumsnet pregnancy sertraline'

Or

'mumsnet pregnancy citalopram'

There are soany past threads on this, you'll get all the information you need, and all the reassurece. Good luck 😊

You can even put your weeks in , or add 'second trimester'

This goes for any subject really as you can draw on the years of previous threads out there 🙌

Hi, just to reassure you - I'm on 20mg fluoxetine daily and currently 18 weeks pregnant with DC2. I was on the same medication throughout my first pregnancy too, had a good pregnancy and now have a very healthy little 3 year old boy. I've had some great support from the perinatal mental health team and the consultant obstetrician who are all very supportive. Obviously some medications are safer than others, but your doctor should be able to ensure you're on one that's safe. Your mental health is so important, and in the majority of cases the benefit to the mother being mentally well outweighs any small risk to the baby, but it is of course very much your decision to make. I found the Bumps website helpful www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/