Depression and Pregnancy?

Question

I am incredibly depressed at 5 months pregnant. My youngest son has started a very intensive behavior therapy for Autism which is quite taxing on me and my marriage is failing for completely unrelated issues (mostly my husband lacking sex drive). I know I need to do something and I've set up some counseling sessions but I'm thinking I may need more than that. Anyone here had to start an antidepressant while pregnant? I'm trying to nip this in the bud as I've suffered from severe PPD with a previous pregnancy. Help?

Answer

Sorry to hear about all of your recent struggles. I too battle depression. I did not want to be on drugs while pregnant and even tried to go off at the urging of an incompetent (didn't know it then) midwife. When I went off the medication, I was about 100 times worse. So I went back on. Trust me, I am a very educated young lady and I really agonized about taking it while pregnant. But my dr says, if I ain't happy, then baby ain't happy. I take 50mg of Zoloft. My psychiatrist and I decided the (minimal) risks outweigh the potential side effects. 50mg is a low dose and is what has been shown to be most effective low dose. Lots of studies show that stress and chemical changes in your brain can affect your baby too, so it's important to do what u can to minimize the transfer of negative chemicals. Other people may judge me and say it's not good for the baby, but according to body and brain chemistry it was either Zoloft or hating everyone and everything and wishing I wasn't pregnant or worse yet, wishing I was dead. I'd rather be alive and love my baby, my partner, and myself. Please know you're not alone and I'll be thinking of you.

Answer

Hi, I was on 40mg of Fluoxetine a day before I was pregnant to help me manage depression and anxiety. As soon as I found out that I was pregnant, it was recommended that I come off it altogether so as not to affect the baby in any way. Although I was happy with this decision, I quickly became depressed, agitated and extremely anxious which was made worse by the fact that I thought I should be happier than I've ever been because we had been trying for a baby for over a year. I made it to the second trimester before I felt as if I had no choice but to go back on antidepressants. I take 20mg a day instead of my previous 40mg and I still have bad days sometimes, but nowhere near as bad as it was before. I'm now 28 weeks pregnant with a perfectly healthy baby girl and I'm really happy with my decision to go back on my medication. Pregnancy can wreak havoc on our hormones without the extra stresses in our life, so please don't feel bad if you feel as though you need to take antidepressants. I was so stressed out before taking medication that it must have been affecting my little princess too, so sometimes it's the best decision to make for you, your baby and your family to take something that will help you to feel a little better x

Answer

I just started back at mine at 28 wks I highly suggest it you'll feel so much better and be able to take care of your self and your family if you are feeling better! I went off all meds when I found out I was pregnant but my doc said now I'm in the third trimester it's safe to get back on if I feel the need and I did and feel amazing! Im on Effexor and it's awesome! At least talk to your doc about it!

Answer

This is what u do, do what makes u happy everyday and a lil more because the baby feels what u feel.

Answer

Before getting pregnant I was taking 60 mg of Paxil. When I found out I was pregnant (4 wks) the doctor told me to switch to Prozac or Zoloft but I wanted to quit all together so I wouldn't expose the baby to the possible dangers.  My doctor said it was my decision so I went off all together. I had major withdrawals from it. It felt like I had the flu for about a month. Then I started getting extremely angry. I had to go back on medication. I now take 20 mg of Prozac and all is well. (20 wks now)

Answer

You do what you need to do to keep your sanity. I'm sorry you are going though a hard time!

Depression and Pregnancy?

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