Taking Antidepressants While Pregnant: Is it Safe?
August 27, 2009 at 11:00 AM by Cafe Suzanne - Comments (9)
Antidepressants make you feel a whole lot better, but you're pregnant so now what? Should you continue to take your medication or should you flush it down the toilet pronto.? Surprisingly, until last week, there were no guidelines to help pregnant women—and their doctors—make that that decision.
Last Friday, the guidelines were published in two medical journals: Obstetrics and Gynecology (a publication of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) and General Hospital Psychiatry (a publication of the American Psychiatric Association).
The gist: Medical experts believe that untreated depression in pregnant women can be harmful not only to the mother, but to her baby and the risk of harm needs to be balanced against the risk of drugs to the developing fetus. So for mothers-to-be who suffer from disabling depression, bipolar disorder, or psychosis, the benefits of antidepressants are likely to outweigh the possible risks to the fetus.
The guidelines take into account the risks that the antidepressants pose to babies before and after birth as well as the impact a seriously depressed mother can have on her baby before and after birth—and well into childhood.
The experts recommend that women with milder forms of depression be weaned from their medication (before getting pregnant if possible) and also try psychotherapy.
The bottom line: If you are taking medication for depression, talk to your doctor before you continue or stop taking antidepressants. She'll be able to interpret the new guidelines and come up with a plan that works for you—and your baby.
Are you—or were you—on antidepressants? What made you decide to keep or stop taking them while pregnant?
FILED UNDER: is it safe
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I took zoloft while pregnant and outcome was fine.
Depression is something that needs be monitored.
my physc dr said not to take anything intill 2nd trimester b/c that when all the organs r developed and most drug effect organ development on the other hand my ob said that i should start something right aways b/c im manic...who do i listen to? the drug my ob wants me to take is seriquill but my physc dr said to take benydrill...idk i want to wait intill after the first u/s to descide i guess
I took Zoloft with my daughter all through my pregnancy. Out of all the possible side effects on my daughter, the only thing that could have been related was trouble latching. But I know that lots of babies can have trouble latching and we also moved across the country when she was one week old. I drove our truck and my husband drove the moving truck. It was hard to even pump on schedule. Needless to say, she ended up being formula fed.
I am taking Zoloft with my current pregnancy as well, same dose as last time, 50 mg. Since we are not moving right after this pregnancy I am hoping to have a better go with breast feeding this time. I am also seeking out support for breast feeding through the hospital and la leche.
I was taking medication for My depression and anxiety attacks for the past 3 years , i stopped and weened myself off of them the week i found out i was pregnant which was 3 months ago.. My doctor said these class of drugs are very harmful for a fetus. I took Paxil with my first son there was no fetal harm but i only took it for about a months time late in pregnancy. They say the benefits out way the risks... I'm just not taking Any risks with a precious unborn life
I am taking Celexa for my depression and anxiety. I didn't take it for the first trimester and then talked to my OB and he said that the the benifits outway the risks...and all tests and ultrasounds show that my baby is healthy and growing like she should...
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i believe untreated depression is more dangerous than getting medical care and using a safely prescribed medication from a dr.
cherryici Aug. 27, 2009 at 3:55 PM