Quetiapine and effects on baby

[Helplessalone]

I'm being pushed to take medication from doctors and the perinatal mental health team.

I don't really want to take anything that's going to efect my baby and make them either Ill or developmentally delayed ect if I don't need to.

But I thought I would at least look into the drug they have offered which is Quetiapine.

What effects did it give your baby I you took it.

Did it harm them after they were born.

Honest opinion because I want to give this kid the best start in life.

I was taking 100mg. I was put under consultant care, which meant I had extra scans to check the babies development. Everything was fine, there was no adverse effects on the baby at any point and my 5yo is a now a happy and intelligent little girl.

Thank you.

I have been taking a minimal dose for years and currently 18 weeks. I’ve been assured there should be no ill effects but I may need to stay in after birth to monitor for signs of withdrawal- namely drowsiness but there has been no concerns so far from anyone I’ve spoken to. I have my first consultant appointment tomorrow - as PP mentioned you’ll likely be under consultant care on that medication as an extra precaution

I also took it all through my pregnancy, again on medical advice. Everything was fine and my little boy is perfect.

Bumps is a great website for summarising research for different medication in pregnancy

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/leaflets-a-z/quetiapine/

https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/leaflets-a-z/quetiapine/

the bumps website is the best source of information for risks/benefits etc of meds in pregnancy

Thank you guys.

Last time I went under consultation care I lost all my rights. I was told I had no right to a birthing plan. I was ignored by my midwife and when I gave birth they ignored me when I said no to stuff. So I'm not really interested in going under consideration care.

The numb website didn't really have half as much details as the national library of medication on what could happen during the withdrawal symptoms.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582928/

But it does also say that it might not happen at all.

I'm still on the fence. I might not agree to take it souly based on the fact I'd be under consultation care again and lose my rights.

@Helplessalone that sounds really bizarre. I'm under consultant led care and my wishes are still carefully considered and taken into account. They can't force things on you. If they were to strongly disagree with any of my preferences I would expect them to say and to explain why before letting me make my informed choice. As we have capacity they can't force anything.

It sounds like you had a bad previous experience which is (understandably) affecting your current decision making and trust of the professionals etc. They wouldn't be offering this drug if they had safety concerns for the baby. You need to find someone you can trust to talk it through with. If the meds are suggested for MH reasons then - gently - remember that you might also be struggling to make a choice and to think clearly about it all because of your current thinking patterns etc.

When we are anxious/stressed/depressed our brain chemistry is affected. It is a physical illness as well as a mental one - this often gets forgotten. The drugs are to rebalance and to then give you the space to be able to get back into healthier thinking patterns. This is why talking therapies alone don't always help people. Sometimes they need that rebalancing of their neurochemistry before they can manage that.

I understand it is scary, and of course you want the best for your little one. But you are also a patient, and you also matter. The professionals are wanting the best outcome for you too. Please try to find someone on your healthcare team who you can trust. Talk through your fears with them. Discuss care options if you refuse the meds. They just want the best for you. 💕

@SnookyPook i don't know if there is anyone. I am supposed to see the consultant on the 7th for a chat about my fears ect. It's a different consultant then my last one.

I just don't want a repeat of my last situation. I was literally screaming no when they wanted to take blood from me and they just grabbed my arm and took it anyway.

@Helplessalone that sounds really scary. I hope that you find your new consultant helpful and that you are able to talk through everything, including your previous experience, with them. X