Anyone taken Prozac in pregnancy?

[naturelover]

I've posted about this in mental health too.

I suspect I have antenatal depression and my GP has prescribed Prozac. In some ways I think maybe it was delayed PND although DD is 20 months. I'm 23 weeks pregnant with DC2.

I'm nervous about taking Prozac in pregnancy. I've never taken ADs before at all, am unsure what to expect in terms of side effects, potential benefits, how long I'll stay on them, how/when to come off and whether it will jeapordise my home birth plans.

Not to mention the fear of taking something that could affect the baby. FGS I haven't even taken a paracetamol this pregnancy.

I'm on a waiting list for counselling too, not sure how long it could take to see someone.

I have the packet of Prozac here now, but not sure if I can bring myself to take one or whether I should see how I get on without it.

Any hand-holding would be much appreciated.

Thanks

I'm not pregnant, but I have been on Prozac before. For some people it's great (some of my friends are on it), but I had major side effects - massive headache, constant nausea, and wound up trying a few different medicines before landing on Cymbalta. So Prozac might not be right for you, but that doesn't mean something else won't be. If you do have side effects, you should talk to your doctor and see if something else might be better for you. Potential benefits will depend on what your symptoms are - for me, it really improved my mood, I didn't get upset at stupid things so easily, I could fall asleep at night and overall I felt I could just deal with everyday life better. Again, length of time depends on your situation - some people are on them for a few months, others for years. When you are ready to come off, your doctor will set up a withdrawal process depending on your dosage to wean you off (if you just stop taking them, you'll probably wind up with headaches, etc.).

As far as taking it while pregnant, I can only say that I had to come off the Cymbalta in anticipation of TTC. But I assume your GP knows you are pregnant and would not prescribe something that would harm the baby - perhaps that is why the GP chose Prozac as opposed to something else.

Hope that's at least a little helpful!

naturelover

sorry to hear you are feeling so low, i suffered from depression in the past but chose not to use medication.

it worked from me but we are all different!

have you looked into alternative treatment? certain vitamins can help and food that you eat together with exercise that is suitable for a pregnant person.

you could try that before you try the prozac.

also you said you are on a waiting list for counselling, can you not go private and pay to attend one sooner. it would be money well invested and if money is a problem then maybe your family could help?

you sound a bit like me, i would never take anything when pregnant and treated my body like a temple although i did binge on treats near the end

i personally would try anything alternative first before taking medication but i am not a specialist and i'm sure there are many people on here who know more than me.

goodluck

I have taken Prozac all the way through my pregnancy due to depression and anxiety disorder - I was advised to continue by everyone including an obstetrician, Psychiastrist and GP. Prozac has been around for a long time and therefore lots of research has been done on it's affects in pregnancy - you will have been prescribed this because it is safe. Some studies have shown that the baby may suffer some mild withdrawal symptoms after birth (as such I have halved my dose in the 2 weeks before my due date) however prozac has a long half life and will stay in the babies system for a while - also if you breastfeed a small amount of prozac will be passed in your milk so baby will be weened off very slowly. the health professionals I have seen have not been at all concerned about the affects of Prozac on pregnancy and breastfeeding - it has been my choice to halve my dose. There is evidence to suugest that depression in the mother will cause more problems so you have to weight things up. It took me two weeks to get used to the prozac. I had some mild side effects like grinding teeth and difficulty sleeping, these soon wore off and I felt so much better. Prozac has been a life saver for me. Best of luck with everything xx

Like greeneyed, I have been advised to continue with Prozac throughout my pregnancy. I was diagnosed with postnatal depression when DS was 3months old and now he's 9months, I'm 3months pregnant with number two.

I have taken advice from my GP, psychiatrist, obstetrician and mental health nurse. It was decided that it's better for my health, my DS, my husband and obviously for the health of my unborn child for me to continue taking the antidepressants, as the anxiety and stress I would suffer if I were to cease medication would be worse for all involved.

I have been referred to an excellent care team in my local area who have provided me with counselling and psychotherapy. Have you been given a rough idea of how long the waiting list for counselling may be?

I really hope you have started to feel better and that you have received treatment that is appropriate for you!

I didnt take any Prozac but took Lorazepam for ante natal anxiety which is somewhat similar. The dose was mild enough (0.5mg per day) but did the trick. I also saw a psychiatrist privately. I continued the medication until my twins were 5 months old where I also breast fed for 1 month. I did not see any problems. Although I am anti medication and take paracetamol quite sparingly, I strongly believe that mental health is not be taken lightly and this period of upheaval is a very short one and does pass so whatever helps you get through it.