Is it safe to go through pregnancy on anti-depressants without harming your baby?
I had severe depression several years ago and have been on various anti-depressants since. This disease runs in my family. I still have bouts with it and had to increase my medication (250 mg of Effexor) about 2 years ago. I also have a sleep disorder, have my whole life. Take about 10-30 mg of Trazidone (also used as an anti-depressant) for sleep.
My hubby and me want to conceive a child. I’m hoping to wean off my Effexor starting in the late summer, even though I’ve still had hard times. I need to (at least for now) stay on the Trazidone.
I have heard mixed information on whether it is okay to continue anti-depressant medication (or any meds) while pregnant. Anyone have to do this and did your child turn out healthy. I couldn’t stand if I was the cause of my future child’s disabilities, but I can’t suffer either. Also, did you get to breastfeed? I need to look out for myself and my child, as depression isn’t good, but either is medication. HELP!
Tagged with: Antidepressants • baby • harming • Pregnancy • safe • through • Without
Filed under: Anti Depressants Pregnancy
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ask your OB they would know for sure!
ask your OB they are the only ones that can tell you what is safe, and what is not. For you being so severe it might be better for you to be one something low dose, but you’ll HAVE to consult a dr. before ttc.
I went through my first pregnancy on Zoloft (and breastfed on it, too). They told me it was safe at the time – my daughter is 8 years old now and has a lot of behavioral problems (to the point she got expelled from school), although she hasn’t been diagnosed with anything. Her younger sisters have no such problems and I didn’t take antidepressants anymore when I was pregnant with them. Now, this is purely anecdotal and it may have nothing to do with the Zoloft, but I suspect it might.
Usually because there is already a build up of the drug in your body, getting pregnant on it and carrying a baby to term is usually ok. After though the baby may have withdrawl symptoms. BEFORE getting pregnant, I’d talk to your care provider about wanting to get pregnant and what effects the medication could have on your baby and the safety of the drugs and conceiving and having a baby on them. They may not be safe drugs.
Yes, its quite possible to stay on anti-depressants and have a successful pregnancy, however, it’s not safe to take the Effexor or Trazidone. Trazidone can and most likely will cause severe mental retardation. (My Phsycologist had told me that when I was on it). He went as far as to say it’s almost a guarentee. Trazidone, as you probably already know is an anti seizure med also used to treat depression and sleep disorders.
Your Dr. would most likely be switched to something that the Dr.’s that have more experience with like Zoloft and they’ll most likely not give you anything else.
You should really sit down with your Dr. and see what the best course of action is….
I wish you the best & hope you’ll be posting some good news soon!
When I was pregnant with my first son I was on Lexapro for depression and Trazidone for sleep. I was told that it was okay for me to continue to take those meds. In fact, my doctor said that it was better for me to stay on than to be depressed the entire time.
Anyway, my son turned out perfectly fine. And yes, I did breastfeed. I don’t think it’s necissary to wean off your anti-depressants, in fact it may be dangerous for you. Talk to your doctor and make sure though. You may have to switch anti-depressants because I don’t think all of them are safe for pregnancy. I know Lexapro was but I really don’t know anything about Effexor.
You really should consult your OB because it is possible for them to prescribe you an anti depressant that’s safer or they feel more comfortable with you taking.
i took zoloft the whole time i was pregnant wiht my son. i didnt breastfeed
I was On Effexor When I got Pregnant With My first Child My Ob Would Not Allow Me to Take Effexor Well Pregnant And Made Me come Off Of It.I Know Some Are More Safe To Use well You Are Pregnant But Effexor Is Not One of Them.