Pregnancy and Antidepressants

[JKLM]

Hello,

Just wanting to know if anyone has any experience or advice about pregnancy and use of antidepressants I am currently trying to taper off medication in preparation for starting a family.

Jess

[Zeal]

Hi Jess,

Welcome to the forum!

While I don't have any personal experience on this specific matter, I do take antidepressants (SSRI's) and I would like to start a family too, just not yet. I'd like to direct you to previous forum threads and Beyondblue resources:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/pregnancy-and-parenthood/pregnancy-ssris-antidepressants#qinUiXHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

http://resources.beyondblue.org.au/prism/file?token=BL/0944

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/connect-with-others/news/news/2014/11/17/world-first-app-improves-wellbeing-during-and-after-pregnancy

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/treatments-health-professionals-and-therapies/long-term-antidepressants-user-and-now-off-them---anyone-else-#qfuGZHHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

I hope these links are useful. Hopefully you can also connect with other women in your situation 🙂

Best wishes,

Zeal

[jollydolly]

Hi Jess,

I have been taking antidepressants for nearly 20 years. Last year, at the age of 39, I got pregnant after trying for a while. I was really concerned about not only the possible effects of antidepressants during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but also about how I might be treated by health staff - as a 'bad' mother. My experience was incredibly positive. My NSW-based GP and midwives were 100% supportive of me continuing to take my medication, and consistently said that in their opinions, the risks of not continuing and experiencing anxiety and depression during pregnancy were more negative than other possible effects. I didn't feel judged or like a bad person.

Having said that, I did reduce my dose while trying to fall pregnant, partly because I could, and partly because after doing some reading I decided to try and use the lightest dose possible for me.

So, I hope that hearing about my recent experience as an antidepressant user will give you some confidence. Good luck!

[jollydolly]

PS - I forgot the most important part! My beautiful daughter was born without any problems at all, and I have been breastfeeding for six months. So, I hope that she has not been affected in any way by the antidepressants - it seems like it at the moment.

[Ace6913]

Hi jess,

your not alone Hun I've been suffering with anxiety for the last couple of months and had fallen pregnant in that time I spent the first 12 weeks doing cognitive therapy which was wonderful and really helpful with the strategies they teach you but unfortunately I just couldn't calm down I got referred to a psychiatrist one that has a keen interest in pregnancy and woman with anxiety she prescribed me sertraline when I was at 15 weeks my hubby and I had a huge discussion and as jolly dolly mentioned it was best for Bub if I went on them even though there are a few cases out there that can cause effects to bu in pregnancy but deep down I know what I'm doing to the bin without meds would be worse. Today 17 weeks I had my first midwife appt and I was so worried about telling her Im taking meds but she was very positve and I feel very supported by all carers . I hope this helps 😄

[Waterlemontree]

Hi jolly dolly,

I'm currently coming off medication with the help of my doctor as my partner and i are planning a family. I had been on this medication for about 15 years to treat my OCD, anxiety and just plain dealing with uncontrolled thoughts that I just couldn't let go of.

I will be completely off this medication by the end of the week, while i can cope with the withdrawal effects of nausea and being more emotional, I am finding that I am slowing becoming anxious and feeling that I may be going back to the panic attacks.

As I can't stay on the medication due to potential birth defects, I've been trying to find an alternative. I have been reading up on other medications. But I'm concerned with the effect other medications may have in the third trimester and breast feeding, while research into these other medications and pregnancy is extremely limited.

Thank you