[itsjustme111]

Hi everyone, how are you all? I have been really busy lately with moving and all but we are finally settled in.

So my question is: Has anyone ever taken anti-depressants during pregnancy? Or does anyone know is they are safe too use during pregnancy and which ones could be considered?

Yes, I am pregnant and hopefully getting married next year or as soon as we can afford it (lolol--weddings cost too much).

Thanks for reading,

Justy

[Larry_Hoover]

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So my question is: Has anyone ever taken anti-depressants during pregnancy? Or does anyone know is they are safe too use during pregnancy and which ones could be considered?

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Sure, it happens. It happens with higher frequency than a lot of people realize, I think, just because people are human.

I've done quite a bit of research into the subject, and I've found that there has been a little sensationalizing happening, even in the medical literature. Depression itself has well-known adverse effects upon a fetus. It has even been argued that what may seem like genetic transmission of depression from mother to offspring might actually be the depressed mother's uterine environment, and the mother's hormones, adversely impacting on fetal development. It has to be an informed decision, made after full consultation with doctors, to medicate during pregnancy. Or not.

There have been some recent journal articles describing peri-natal (at the time of birth) and early post-natal complications in infants exposed to antidepressants during gestation. What that tells me is that doctors are ready to deal with this. It has become routine practise to deal with the risks associated with medication used during pregnancy. You should be able to discuss your medical management with your doctor(s), and make an informed decision. I don't know if this is allowed, and I apologize if it is improper, but here's a link to a post I made elsewhere, and in it are other links to my fully-referenced draft article on the subject, etc. Also, other posts I made to that thread have further info.

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040904/msgs/387622.html

All the best, on your upcoming blessed event,
Lar

[cherybery]

Congrats!!!! I took Paxil while I was pregnant and my son is just fine.
HUGSSSSSSSSSSS
Cher

[adeline]

Hi,

My bipolar friend recently had a baby, and her doctor said Lexapro was a good choice for an AD. It's a low-dose SSRI, so it's kind of a compromise (definitely better than nothing).

I've been doing research for a cognitive development course about the effects of post-natal depression on children up to a decade later, and all studies have found cognitive and social deficits in children whose mothers were depressed during at least the first three months. BUT the current hypothesis is that it's not the depression itself, but the interacting contextual factors that cause the deficits (e.g. stress, less of a reaction to baby by parent, financial problems, marital conflicts, other mental illness, severity and chronicity of depression... etc.). So in no way does a mother having any mental illness doom her child to not be the best he/she can be.

So, in my opinion, being on meds during pregnancy would be worth it since you'd be most likely to be able to give your baby the best of your mental health. And I'd imagine it's just an amazing time to enjoy and discover your new bundle of joy, that would be greatly worth it to not have to struggle against any mental illness. Good luck for a smooth and easy pregnancy, this must be such a special time for you and yours!

Jessie