Anit-depressants and Pregancy

Hi K.!

I am choosing to spend my entire pregnancy taking both an anti-depressant and bipolar medication. I have had a history of severe depression and bipolar and have learned as I'm nearing 30 that I simply can't be without these meds. I am unable to function as a person, let alone as a mother, when I don't take them.

My OB and psychiatrist have both told me that the medicines are fine to take, and that they would rather me be on them than off them.

I took them the last part of my 2nd pregnancy (this is my 3rd) and my daughter was and is perfectly fine.

Weigh the risk and the benefits. If you need them, take them.

Good luck!

I have Bipolar II and I had to be on some kind of anti-depressant. When you are pregnant the medications have different levels. The only one they let me take was Prozac due to so many studies that it is the only one that is safe. I took it and my daughter is fine.

There are meds that are less harmful than others during pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my triplets my psych doc didn't want me taking anything as it would be better without them, especially with three babies inside. You'll want to talk to your doc but if you can get by without them until after the birth, I would wait. But if you're in need take the kind that is safer during pregnancy. Your doc will know best. There are other things you can do during pregnancy without drugs that you can talk to your doc about.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

I took Zoloft through the first two trimesters. I chose to go off it in the third trimester because one study had shown a very small chance of severe problems when taking it late in pregnancy (other studies did not have the same effect, but I wasn't taking any chances). I started taking it again in the hospital the day my daughter was born and continued to take it while nursing for 16 months. She is 100% happy and healthy.

I did and I was on full bedrest in the hospital for over a month and then modified/full at home for 3 more months. Talk to your doctor and make the decision that is the best for you.

Hi K. - I did not for my first child as I was so far along in mypregnancy until I finally openned up about how I felt - at that time my dr. didn't want to put me on meds but certainly did so post-partum. I was embarrassed to say anything because it is so tabu because society has this idea of a woman being pregnant and all rosey cheeked and happy. I not only was sad but sad I wasn't fitting into what I thought was normal.

With my second child I was on anti-depressants - 25mg of Zoloft - so very little but did help me get through the second pregnancy better.

I did not. There are many that are not safe while pregnant. But am sure there are some that are safe.