[name]Hi[/name] Berries I was wondering if anyone has experience with taking anti-depressant medications while pregnant? I know that there are some that are safer than others but I was just curious if anyone had first hand knowledge and experience. My husband and I are talking about ttc our first and I can’t help but be concerned as I’ve been on medication for nine years (I have panic disorder) and I’m not sure I can get off my medication for nine+ months in order to conceive, carry the child, and breastfeed. Really just looking for practical realistic advice. Thank you all!
I’m currently 5 months pregnant with my first and I’ve also been on anti-depressants for about 15 years. Stopping wasn’t an option for me because the possibility of having an (anxiety or depressive) episode is much, much more dangerous than the very small possibility of any kind of drug-related birth defect. You have to remember that it’s also very unhealthy for baby to be growing inside a mom who’s depressed or highly anxious or stressed or suffering through multiple panic attack episodes. Panic attacks cause a lot of physiological changes in your body and would absolutely put stress on the baby - and that’s not healthy or safe in any way. Babies need a mom who can function normally and who can feel good and who can breathe and relax and all those things we’re supposed to do. Take your pre-natal vitamins (most importantly before you actually get preggo and during the first 3 months), maybe take a little extra folic acid if you’re really nervous, talk it over with your own OB or whatever doctor/midwife you’re seeing. But your sound mental health is critically important during pregnancy and if you need meds to maintain that, then so be it - it’s no different than a diabetic who needs insulin or someone who needs heart pills to live. Good luck!
I have a friend who stopped taking her medication while pregnant and everything was fine, but her doctor strongly recommended that she go back on it after the baby was born because the fact that she had mental health problems prior to pregnancy/birth put her at even greater risk for PPD or even post-partum psychosis. She was concerned about breastfeeding while taking medication, but when she weighed the risks, NOT taking it was definitely the worse/scarier option. Talk to your OB or another healthcare provider you trust, because it’s definitely a hard decision, but you really have to keep in mind that taking care of yourself IS in the best interest of your baby. Like PP said, there is a negative impact on the baby (in the womb and after) when the mother is experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, etc.
Editing to say hugs Doesn’t it suck that “Mommy Guilt” starts before you even conceive the baby? And I’m sorry to say it never ends. It’s the hardest part of parenthood, I assure you, and it can cause even people who were able to cope perfectly fine before to have anxiety and depression.
I too stayed on my meds because the benefits outweighed the risks. Everything has been fine! Talk to your healthcare provider though to make the right decision for your own situation.
Dear Sarastin,
I took an SSRI during my first two trimesters of pregnancy and weaned off during the third trimester because at time (my daughter is now 7 and a half, so 8 years ago) there was some indication that infants whose mothers were on that class of medication for the entirety of their pregnancy had withdrawal symptoms. I can say in retrospect that going off medication was, for me, a terrible decision–both because the evidence supporting withdrawal symptoms (which anyway were considered temporary and not life-threatening) is questionable and because, as cvdutch said above, prenatal depression (and other mood disorders) can be deleterious for infants in all sorts of ways. I have studies saved on this somewhere in my hard drive which I can look up if you want to do your own reading (I just finished my masters in social work, and I did a bunch of papers on prenatal depression/PPD), but on a more personal note I’ll say that after having a great first couple of trimesters, I plunged into a very dark place once I curtailed medication and I suffered greatly from PPD even though I resumed medication 10 days or so after giving birth (I should have done it sooner, though I think it’s a symptom of depression that you don’t think to take care of yourself). My little one is healthy, and my joy, but it really breaks my heart that, though I was able to care for her in basic ways, my depression impeded our bonding for quite some time. We’ve put a lot of work into healing ourselves as a family, though this was not a start to motherhood that I would wish on anyone. I guess my main point is that even a finite period of prenatal depression can have lasting consequences.
That said, I do have friends who have successfully gone off anti-depressants during pregnancy (and in some cases even into postpartum) without relapsing into depression. Everyone is different and for some, pregnancy acts as an anti-depressant of sorts. (I think of it sort of like morning sickness–some women get it, some don’t.)
Anyway, it’s good that you’re asking these questions now. [name]Do[/name] you have a psychiatrist whom you trust and who is up to date on current research? My experience is that ob gyns aren’t always so knowledgeable about prenatal use of anti-depressants.
Best of luck to you and feel free to PM if I can be of more help.
I took Citalopram during my last pregnancy and all was fine. Like others here, the benefits outweighed the potential risk of minor withdrawal symptoms.
It’s a question of risk versus benefit, and talk to your Dr…as you mentioned some medications within the same class can be safer than others, so make sure you are on the safest option in the particular class that works for you. (An example is that doxepin is less safe than other tricyclics) Generally, SSRIs have been considered to be the safest antidepressant class, but there is recent evidence for an increased risk of persistant pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Panic disorder can be very serious, so I would guess that stopping medications may not be an option…the stress of pregnancy itself could exacerbate your condition, right? But if you haven’t had any symptoms for more than 6 months, your Dr. may consider trying to taper your medication doses down. Most importantly, know that by thinking about it and weighing the options with your healthcare professional, you are doing the right thing. You can only do your best…and when you come to the best decision for you and baby, don’t feel guilty about it. No parents are perfect, we are all just doing the best we can. Best wishes!
Thank you everyone for the wonderful responses! I love how supportive and safe an environment Nameberry is and I really appreciate all of your input.
@cvdutch: I take vitamins like a fiend because my mother is very into alternative medicine and natural remedies to supplement health. I am really grateful for your sharing your story thank you so much!
@thatkathryngirl: Thank you for the hugs I can always use them! I just want to be as prepared as possible because there is nothing more important to me than being a mother and doing everything I can for my children 
@jennifermariska: Thank you for sharing it really helps to talk to other people about it.
@hilary: I so much appreciate your story it really means a lot to me. I am lucky enough to have a very knowledgeable psychiatrist who I have spoken with from the start about pregnancy and starting a family, he is very up to date on his research and has been very supportive and helpful. I would love to read some of the research you complied, I will pm you!
@milasmamma: thank you very much for sharing!
@iamamiam: I am currently on an SSRI and my doctor has assured me it is one of the more stable and safe for use during pregnancy. I am a bit concerned that I may not handle everything in the best way without my medication as I am far from symptom free in my daily life but I have always felt that pregnancy will sit well with me and firmly believe I will be able to embrace the whole experience (of course no telling until it actually happens so I want to be prepared).
Thank you so much everyone for your kindness and willingness to share your experiences!
I was on anti depressants since I was in 7th grade. I am 23 now and I was on Lexapro. But after speaking with my doctor and him telling me birth effects can happen I took the proper steps to get off of the meds to make sure my future bub is healthy and safe. We are TTC now so that was my motivation. I kind of look at like a blessing because since getting off the medication 2-3 months ago I feel so much better in general. But if I were you I would speak with your doctor and have him/her direct you in a direction that is right for you and your future baby. [name]Even[/name] if you are not TTC it is okay to speak with your doctor about future plans. That is what I did. And he was very supportive.
In my opinion though I would not be on anything. I know it may be hard for people or yourself but I feel knowing you are doing it for a good reason keeps you happy and balanced. Then once your child is born and you feel you need to go back on them that is perfectly fine. Also I included exercising (walking my dogs) into my routine. I enjoy it and it helps me release any stress or anxiety I may have. Finding alternatives, eating properly (especially staying away from caffeine), learning ways to cope and not relying on medication has truly helped me and I would never want to turn back.
I was on Lexapro for three years (and intermittently for a couple of years before that), but stopped in [name]January[/name] in preparation for TTC. I had bad withdrawal problems for two months, but have been okay since [name]March[/name] (okay enough to stay off medication for the duration of a pregnancy). However, my self-esteem has taken a massive hit. I feel badly about myself and my looks a lot (almost bordering on body dysmorphic disorder) and unhappier in general, but I don’t think I’m at the point where I need to go back on medication. Of course, I want to stay off medication during pregnancy if I can, but I think there’s a good chance I’ll go back on medication after the baby is born. I’m much happier on medication than off. One tactic I’ve used to help elevate my mood is exercise. I know it sounds trite, but it really helps. I try to run at the gym about four times a week. Of course, this depends on your situation. My depression is fairly mild, but all the exercise in the world probably won’t help someone with more severe mental health issues.
I have a history of pretty severe mental illness - bipolar disorder/anxiety issues, multiple near-fatal suicide attempts/hospitalization, etc. I was on two medications considered high-risk in pregnancy - one known to cause severe defects, and the other only causing withdrawal symptoms post-partum with a very rare incident of pulmonary issues (something like 1/1000 births VS 1/3000 births). My OB suggested I stay on medication, my psychiatrist suggested I go off of it. Switching to a “safer” med wasn’t an option…I’ve tried them all and had nasty side effects with many.
I stopped taking it. Halfway through my pregnancy, I started to feel depressed - my BP was very low, I couldn’t drive, and was very down. I decided I would go on medication if a) my symptoms got worse or b) didn’t improve within a few weeks. They did improve, and I never went on medication. I’ve now been breastfeeding, off medication, for 4 weeks.
I did have withdrawal symptoms when I stopped taking my meds. I had heart palpitations that were REALLY unpleasant, dizziness, and I think that attributed to my low BP. Those lasted about two weeks.
I can not believe you were on Lexapro as well! Definitely one of the more safer ones my doctor said since he is into all natural remedies he was always pushing to go off drugs. But at least why we got off of them is a great reason and motivation! And I started exercising as well mostly walking my dogs everyday since I truly enjoy that. So it does not sound trite at all!
I’m bipolar, so it’s not the same thing, but I did go off my medication in my first pregnancy. It seemed to me to be the best thing to do as I was concerned about the baby’s heart development. For a while it was fine, I was more anxious and blue than normal, and then I had a massive attack (one of the worst ones I’ve had, and I’ve had several bad ones). I had to stay in the hospital for a while to be monitored and put back on lithium. During this pregnancy I’ve chosen to stay on, and it’s working beautifully. I only have to go in a little bit more often to have [name]Baby[/name] checked on, but that’s okay.
I don’t know a lot about other depressive and mental illnesses, so I don’t know how severe your panic attacks are and how your medication works, but staying sane and healthy is important, for mother and child, and I need meds to stay that way. If the medication you’re on is fine during pregnancy I’d stay on them. If you don’t want to, I’d try going off them for a while before getting pregnant to try out how it feels. Having a breakdown with a baby to worry about in your tummy is far from recommendable. For some I’m sure exercise and diet and things like that might work to a certain degree without the drugs, but it depends on how bad your case is. Lots of hugs xox
@scarletsway: I’m currently on Zoloft and Abilify and while my doctor has made clear I should not continue the Abilify while pregnant he seems to think that remaining on my Zoloft may be best for my panic. My panic disorder is fairly severe and it is difficult to eliminate the symptoms even with medication but it can rapidly spiral out of control when I go off. I’m so glad that you are feeling so wonderful that is a great accomplishment!! Also congrats on your ttc! I completely agree with adding in exercise and cutting caffeine, lucky for me I hate coffee
@sarahmezz: Congrats on your pregnancy and on being medication free! I’m sorry that your self-esteem is lagging while I’m sure its normal you still deserve to feel beautiful. I personally feel as though I have much more control of my life and am much more myself while I’m on my meds but it is a very difficult balance. I try to exercise at least moderately everyday but I’m attempting to add in yoga at my Mom’s suggestion as she is convinced it will help and I’m hopeful.
@leadmythoughts: It’s always so wonderful to hear that others are able to leave their medications behind and feel good about it…it gives me hope, especially when the symptoms were severe. I have been through withdrawals many a time and they are horrible the dizziness is always the worst for me.
@scarletsway: I can think of no better reason to get healthy and get off medication than pregnancy! I love walking my dog too, we go on adventures every night and it makes me get out of the house and do something.
@ottilie: I’m so sorry you had to experience a massive attack during your first pregnancy I understand how horrid those can be, my worst panic attacks are completely debilitating and I can’t imagine the added fear of knowing that you are not the only one experiencing what is going on with your body. I’m glad that you are able to stay on your medication and have things work more smoothly this time around. Thank you so much for the hugs it means and lot. And on a side-note I absolutely adore your daughters name!
Thank you everyone for the wonderful support it is great to have such wonderful women to talk to about these things!
Well, I just referred back to this thread and its helpful advice because I’m very strongly considering resuming my medication. As I posted earlier, I was on Lexapro for three years until [name]January[/name] this year. It’s hard to know whether I really need to go back on my meds or not. I’m not suicidal or anything, but I’ve become increasingly depressed over the past few months and I’m worried about continuing in this state of mind for the next twelve months or so of trying to conceive, pregnancy and breastfeeding. I’m also concerned about the possibility of suffering from post-partum depression. I have a doctor’s appointment next week so I’ll discuss my options then. In the meantime, it’s lovely to be a part of a community where others are so empathetic and understanding
Hey - I went in to the perinatal specialist yesterday for my baby’s 19 week Anatomy Ultrasound, and he specifically addressed the concerns of taking SSRI’s during pregnancy so I wanted to chime in again.
First of all, our baby girl’s heart is perfect. But because of the slightly increased risk of a heart issue, he wants us to come back in about 6 weeks for another specialist to do an echo on baby girl’s heart and really make sure everything is as it should be. I was surprised to hear this but I’m more than happy to do it and put our minds at ease. But when he sat down to talk to us at the end of the visit, he took the time to specifically say, “You need to stay on this medication.” He talked about how he knows mom’s tend to have a “guilt chip” (his words) and that some mom’s will spend their entire pregnancy beating themselves up every time they take a pill - and he said absolutely don’t do that. Mom needs to be healthy, mentally and physically, and that creates a much safer environment for baby (even w/the slight possibility of side effects) than a mom not on her meds. I’m not great with numbers but I believe he said the risk of a heart defect in the general population (i.e., baby born to mom not on anti-depressants) is about 1% - when mom is on anti-depressants it goes up to about 2-2.5%. The increase is that small. Also, when you feel good, you take better care of yourself, and therefore your baby, and that is so important. He said the same thing about the pain medication I take - mom being in constant, chronic pain is not healthy for baby either. I swear I could have kissed the man! I’ve spent so much time questioning and beating myself up, I really needed that from him. I feel like I can breathe quite a bit easier now!
Anyway, just wanted to add that experience as well. Obviously, it’s always going to be a personal, individual decision, and you have to do what’s right for you. [name]Don[/name]'t let ANYONE pressure you in any direction because it’s your life, your body, and your baby.
I just spoke with my psychiatrist today about medications while ttc and pregnant and he had some interesting information I thought I would share. I’m currently on Zoloft and Abilify and I thought that it was the Abilify I would have to stop but I learned today that of the two it is the less likely to cause side effects. He said that there are category distinctions for medications during pregnancy and that most all psychiatric medications are class c or d. Class c medications are uncertain if safe or not as animal studies have shown adverse effects but there have been no human studies done. Class d is for drugs that are known to be unsafe and that we have direct evidence of harmful effect on growing babies. He said that even though class d meds are known to be harmful there are still many situations where these medications are extremely helpful and necessary during pregnancy. I currently plan to tapper of my Zoloft and attempt to remain solely on my Abilify even though it is a newer drug so it’s possible that we just don’t know what the effects are yet.
@sarahmezz: if you are having increasingly more trouble with your depression it may be the best thing for you and your future baby to go back on some form of medication, especially because those of us with depression and anxiety issues can be more susceptible to postpartum depression. Also btw sorry I thought you were already pregnant…I know that can be hurtful when your trying I just misread your message. I’m glad we can all help each other during this life altering process
@cvdutch31: Thank you for sharing it is so helpful to have more information. The heart issue risk is the main reason my doctor suggests I go off my Zoloft and remain on my Abilify instead but I’ve been on my Zoloft so long I’m not sure how my panic will respond without it and I may end up needing to reintroduce it later. I’m going to try this plan and see how things go as we continue ttc as I feel it’s the best time to test things out. Congrats on the continued health of your little one…sending you and her the best of thoughts!
Personal update: I had a doctor’s appointment last night. Unfortunately, my usual doctor was away, but I’ve seen the replacement doctor before. He advised me very strongly against going back on anti-depressants. He said they all carry risks and I shouldn’t take any risks unless absolutely necessary. I’m inclined to agree. I think the risks are too great to justify going back on anti-depressants, but it’s hard to know where to draw the line. Pretty much, unless I’m contemplating throwing myself off a building, I’m going to try to soldier on anti-depressant free.