SSRIs DURING PREGNANCY?

[MomNov1]

Hi Moms, I had really bad PPD and PPA after my daughter that unfortunately never went away with therapy alone. I decided to go on medication and currently take Celexa and Clonazepam. Medication makes my daily life manageable and I'm grateful for it. We are TTC and this medication dilemma is weighing heavily on my mind. I did not treat my PPD and PPA right away (big, big mistake but I learned from it), and it turned into horrible GAD with daily panic attacks. I know that moms can stay on SSRI during pregnancy but every time I google it, I read stories and lawsuits on birth defects. I will see my OBGYN in 3 weeks, but just wondering how you coped with Anxiety during pregnancy. Did you end up staying on SSRIs? Thank you so much, as always!

[Tondi G]

I didn't take an SSRI during pregnancy but I suffered from anxiety and panic attacks after DS2 was born. I took Lexapro for a year and half after his birth. I still occasionally have panic attacks/anxiety but it has been manageable without needing an SSRI at this point. I have always wondered what I would do if we decided to go for a 3rd, and I felt I needed meds, would I take them or not?

My SIL had PPD after her 1st DD was born so when she was preggo with DD#2 she started taking Celexa for I believe the last month of her pregnancy so the meds would already be in effect before PPD could set in again. My niece is a perfectly healthy 10 year old, seemingly no ill effects from the meds during the very end of the pregnancy.

I've read a ton of articles too and I think the decision, while difficult, is something you should talk over with your OB/GYN and possibly a Psychiatrist that specializes in treating women and PPD. When I started Lexapro, my psychiatrist advised me to wean DS2 so I did. I feel like Zoloft is considered a better bet during pregnancy but what works best for you really matters.

These articles are interesting

http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/15/172008/antidepressants-pregnancy

http://www.infantrisk.com/content/antidepressant-use-during-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding

[MomNov1]

Thank you so much for your reply Tondi G. My appt is in 3 weeks, so I hope to get some answers. Its a hard decision for me.

[indigo99]

I took wellbutrin during my pregnancies. My doctor said it came down to how well I'd do off of it, and we decided that I needed to stay on it. I obviously don't KNOW for sure. However, based on my limited neuro classes in college, and what I've read on the subject since then, I don't really believe that it affects the baby long-term. My OB (two different ones) and general practitioner agreed with my decision. They did want me to breastfeed after birth (which I was anyway) so that the baby would be weaned off of any medication they were getting through me.

[wellyes]

I went off my SSRIs for pregnancy #1 and it was pretty dire.
When I was TTC for #2 I went through a long consultation and came out with a prescription for zoloft.
Zoloft has been prescribed to pregnant women for over 30 years now, with no evidence of any issues, even at higher doses.
My OB, midwife and the specialist who prescribed it to me all said that they were completely confident that I'd made the right choice.
HTH.

[MomNov1]

I am so grateful to each and every one of you for responding and talking about this hard issue. Just knowing that I'm not all alone helps tremendously when it comes to my decision. I'm constantly thinking about this and going back and forth, even though I know it would be incredibly hard, if even possible, to get through my pregnancy without SSRI. Reading articles online is probably not the best idea, so it is so nice to talk to other moms who know what I'm talking about and can relate.

[Radswd]

Hi! Glad to hear you will be talking to your MD soon. I work in mental health. Zoloft is first choice in treating both anxiety and depression during pregnancy. That said, if another medication is needed, MD will take several factors in account, mostly trying to determine risk vs benefit. My own OB/GYN took Zoloft during her pregnancy.

[MomNov1]

Thanks for your reply, I'm looking forward to my appointment. I'm currently on Celexa since they told me it works more for anxiety vs depression, but I certainly would not mind switching to Zoloft for my pregnancy especially since I will be breastfeeding and that's #1 choice for breastfeeding. Does anyone have any experience switching from one SSRI to another? Lots of side effects or pretty easy transition? Thank you for your help!

[emimo1]

I suffer from serious depression and anxiety issues. I stayed on my SSRI for both pregnancies with no negative side effects that I can see. I had several obs and a visit to maternal fetal medicine. All assured me not to worry. The general consensus was that while there is a risk there is also a risk if the mom is unhealthy and suffering. For me it was no question I would be healthier with the medication.

[MomNov1]

Thanks so much for your reply Emimo1. It all comes down to quality of life and honestly I would not be able to go through 10 months of pregnancy without SSRI. I can't imagine it would be good for baby either. So grateful for all your input :love5:

[blue]

Thanks for your reply, I'm looking forward to my appointment. I'm currently on Celexa since they told me it works more for anxiety vs depression, but I certainly would not mind switching to Zoloft for my pregnancy especially since I will be breastfeeding and that's #1 choice for breastfeeding. Does anyone have any experience switching from one SSRI to another? Lots of side effects or pretty easy transition? Thank you for your help!

I am glad you have an appointment to talk to your health care provider about this, it is a good first step :)...I take an ssri for depression, and have for many years. When pregnant with ds1 I was told to switch to zoloft as well, the adjustment was not easy for me (but is for others). With my second I chose, under the approval of my doc to stay with my regular ssri, and it worked much better. I am not saying this to concern you, but to encourage you to work closely with your doctor and advocate for your health too along with your unborn babies :) (since they go hand in hand when you are pregnant).

[MomNov1]

Thanks so much for your reply Blue. I kept calling my new OBGYN's office every day this past week hoping to get in sooner and was able to get in this morning. Since we are trying TTC, I wanted to wean off Celexa and switch to Zoloft sooner than later. After I talked to him about my bad PPD and PPA (finally treated it after 3 years), he advised me not to switch to Zoloft and to stay with Celexa. He explained since I have been on Celexa for only 10 months instead of a few years, its not safe switching. I guess Paxil is not good (according to him), so if that was my current medication he would take the risk and switch to Zoloft, due to Paxil's side effects during pregnancy. Also, if I was on Celexa for years and was doing very well with no occasional anxiety, then he would switch me to Zoloft. But since its less than a year and not that much difference in medication, the risk is greater in switching at this point. Clonazepam has to go, but that should be pretty easy since I weaned from 3mg/day to 0.50mg for sleep only. I just ordered Natural Calm and if that does not work, I know Melatonin will do it.

So, THANK YOU so much for your reply since you mentioned you stayed with your regular SSRI with pregnancy #2. I printed out different articles and studies before my appointment and he confirmed Zoloft is #1 choice for pregnancy but its not that much different from Celexa. So instead of going up and down with two different SSRIs and hoping Zoloft will work, just stay with Celexa. I'm so grateful for your input ladies!!!! I love this board (my wallet does not like it), even though I do not post very often. I delayed pregnancy #2 due to anxiety and depression, and now I'm looking forward to expanding our family. Thanks again for replying to my post! :love5:

[emily_gracesmama]

Zoloft all three times from 20 weeks on and Prozac in the middle of the first pregnancy then a switch to Zoloft. Without my meds I would have probably been hospitalized in the first and third pregnancies I was that bad. I wouldn't hesitate to take them again to be honest probably starting at 12 weeks if I were to do it again which I am not. I've read that an anxious mom in pregnancy is not good for the baby and I would weigh that against the risks of the meds.

[MomNov1]

Thanks Emily! I was so worried about SSRIs and starting medication last year, but ended up in our local ER asking for Xanax or whatever they were willing to give me (ended up with Celexa and Clonazepam). I feel like this has been one loooong journey and am not going back. It will not be good for me (I will not be able to function), my 4 year old DD, hubby and our unborn child. So grateful for your reply!