PND Med and Pregnancy

Ok, so we have officially started trying for No2 but does anyone know how anti depressants affect pregnancy and if you can still take them or whether I should be looking to come off them?

I am going to see my doctor anyway but just thought Id ask others here if they have had an experience.

Hi Georgia

I was on a mild dose briefly early last year, and my doctor at the time (who I felt was an excellent doctor) was very against even that while TTC.

I guess the thing you have to weigh up is the impact that staying on them will have vs coming off them. eg. if your emotional stability is going to go down the toilet vs whatever risk taking them may pose to a pregnancy.

No offence, here Ginger, but some docs are very anti taking ANYTHING while TTC, and it really depends on what you are taking and what suits your body chemistry. my Dr is a Dr who specilaises in mental health, so I feel quite safe with him! He obviously feels I am less danger to the community while I am on meds! lol! I've been on them off and on for about 14 years or so now, and have tried alot of different types! I personally think the danger is in coming off them before you are ready, as taking the drugs can give you the illusion of being "alright now". If your Dr knows you are TTC, then they should be working on doses and types of medication to fit in with TTC. If your Dr is one who won't give anti d's while you are TTc, then, he/she should be looking at alternitive therapy for you so you aren't left "in the lurch", such as natural medicines or therapy.

The whole "practice" thing is very scary, huh?

I'd have a chat to your doctor..it comes down to what they think will be best for you.

Good luck!

when i was talking to my doctor about it before i conceived addison i asked what would happen when we started TTC and she said she would start weaning me off them a couple of months before we started trying so i would be off them completely when we started. She didnt want me on them when i was pregnant.

That's a good question busymum, and I really don't know the answer. I remember when I went on them, I was on a really, really mild dose (in fact my doctor was intending to wean me onto them, but the initial dose made the difference - she said she'd never had a patient respond to the meds like I did!), so perhaps she thought that it would be ok to get rid of them before I started TTC. I have no idea At the time I just thought it was that they'd be incredibly dangerous for a baby, whatever the dose.

Then again, although I was diagnosed with clinical depression, it was tied in with a breakdown as a result of exhaustion and extreme stress. I'd started making life changes to combat the cause, so she possibly saw that I needed less help with the symptoms, and thought I'd be ok. Luckily, I was.

That doesn't explain why Prozac is ok for Annie and citolopram wasn't for me though ...

Im on Citalopram. Have to see the dr next week for ellas losec so will be talking to her about mine then Maybe there is something i can take thats safe while TTC. I tend to only take drs advice with things like this.

Yer its true but i dont trust people very easily and for some reason i really trust her perhaps its coz she has a baby of her own etc so knows things...my dr is kewl

PS. Just for interests sake, if you have severe PND the 'experts' recommend at least 2 years in between pregnancies to minimise your risk of having it again after your next child.