Ideally, pregnant women should avoid all drugs.

You need to do what's best for you and your baby. If you do something you are not comfy doing and later there's a problem with the pregnancy or baby, you may feel guilt that it was your fault not listening to your inner voice or instincts.

Should you take meds or not? Only you should decide that. Don't just blindly agree with a doc because he/she says this/that.

Some meds are really needed and some or not. That goes for all medications.

Do you really need Paxil? Only you can know.

Does Paxil prevent you from self harm, psychosis, or hurting others? If that answer is yes, then you have your answer.

An unmedicated depressed pregnant woman can also pose a risk to her unborn child. Low birth weight can result. The pregnant woman's eating and sleeping disturbances also effect the unborn baby. The woman is also at a higher risk to post partum depression (prevents nurture and bonding to newborn).

I'd recommend you switch to a "safer" medication if you decide you need psych meds. Paxil is now classified as a FDA Class D medication (birth defects are known).

If you can, postpone the pregnancy until you decide the medication issue.

*Never go off psych meds without the supervision of a psychiatrist.*

My story . . .

Over two years ago, I was taking 12 different medications (half were psychiatric meds). I was repeatedly told by doctors I would have to take some antidepressant and antipsychotic for the rest of my life. That was unacceptable to me. I wanted a baby.

This February, I had a baby. I didn't take any psych medications during my pregnancy. Today, I want to so badly stand in front of those psychiatrists and say, "I did it! I've been off meds for 2 years now! I have a healthy little boy. I have hope. I have a future!"

Maybe one day I'll need to go back on medications. But for now, I'm breastfeeding and I'm nurturing a very healthy baby boy.

I still have psychiatric problems . . . panic attacks, nightmares, paranoia, dissociate, etc. However, I am not depressed. I do not work so the only stress I have is raising the baby . . . which I'm so happily stressed in that way. Being a mom forces me to eat right (breastfeeding) and sleep on schedule. I know I cannot endulge in my dissociations and fears, so I do little grounding techniques to help me stay focused on reality and being a good mom. For now, it works for me.

I wish you and your family the best.