I do not have any kids YET. My husband and I have been married two years, and have decided to start trying this winter.
My question is -- I have been on and off anti-depressants over the last few years. During the last year, I have been on lexapro. It has done wonders for me. I know my doctor will have me get off it during pregnancy and I do not want to do anything to jeopardize the health of my baby pre or during pregnancy. However, I am afraid that I will feel awful when I am off it. Has anyone ever gone through anything similar? Do you have any suggestions on how to handle depression while pregnant? Or how to wean off the prescription prior to pregnancy?
If you need antidepressants, the hormone rollercoaster of pregnancy can be really rough. Zoloft is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding--some doctors prescribe it as a routine in the last months of pregnancy and first months postpartum just to head off postpartum depression.
But definitely talk to your doctor/psychiatrist/therapist/OB-GYN before making any decisions.
I took Effexor XR while pregnant. I just went off it for the last 4 weeks of pregnancy, because I did not want our baby to have withdrawal symptoms (jitters, etc). He is healthy and happy and bright. You have to do what you feel comfortable with. My OB suggested that I stay on it for pregnancy. And I am glad I did. Depression is so hard, especially when you are pregnant. I really felt fine the last 4 weeks without the antidepressant. However, I had some serious post-pardum depression after he was born, and that is nothing to mess around with. It was really hard... so if you can, make sure to have a prescription ready for you for after your baby is born, in case you start feeling depressed. I know it feels like a long ways away, but that is the last thing you'll want to worry about when you have a new baby at home. There are medicines that are safe for breastfeeding (Zoloft?), so maybe line that one up for you. Best of luck!!
Hi J.,
Make sure you talk to your doctor before coming off the Lexapro. You need to be weaned off the medication and your physician is the one who should do this. As far as during pregnancy, there are meds that are safe to take, so your doctor can start you on one of those. It is important that you take something if needed b/c the effects of untreated depression can be worse for your body and the baby than the meds (providing the meds are safe during pregnancy). I would start by calling the physician who prescribes the Lexapro and telling him/her that you want to try to concieve, then go from there. Good luck!
Hi J.!
I was on an anti depressant which treated my migraines. Then I found out I was pregnant and stopped them immediately. I've never gone though a severe bought of depression, so it's hard for me to relate what you may feel once you stop. I do however know, state of mind is a huge factor in our health. My migraines took over my entire day and I could not function. I stayed locked away in my dark, quiet room and didn't want anyone near me. One the hormones of my pregnancy kicked in, the headaches becames less intense, eventually to the point, where I rarely got them. The joy that my now 18 month old daughter brings me, give me the strenght, even on my worse days, to persever and enjoy every moment.
You will find that your body goes through, not only physical change, but emotional, mental and spiritual change as well,
God gives strength beyond our measure and knows what we can handle.
Congrats on starting a family and best wishes.
You will be in my prayers as you wean off your medicine!
Enjoy!
S. Marie
I would talk to your doctor. I know that there are some antidepressants that are safe uring pregnancy, however I also know that the studies are reliatively new and I know I would rather just avoid them if possible. I think you should talk to your doctor now about going weaning off of them. I know you do better if you slowly decrease the dosage. You would be better off finding out you do need the meds while not pregnant, so that if you find out that you do need them, your doctor can maybe switch you toa med that is save during pregnancy now. If you get all your meds regulated now you body will be used to the new or no meds prior to having to get adjusted to growing a baby. You don't want to have to adjust to pregnancy and new or no meds at the same time.
Hi J.,
If you haven't already, I would really consider seeing a therapist as you go through this transition and throughout your pregnancy. You will be able to address your depression without medication during pregnancy, while at the same time working with a professional who can help you to monitor the severity. There are some antidepressants that are considered safer than others during pregnancy, so you can talk with your doctor about these if the depression returns and is severe, but I would be sure to get connected with a therapist as soon as possible so that you are able to have that person with you as you wean off of the medication.
Best of luck!
