Depression and Pregnancy
An interesting article regarding antidepressant use during pregnancy.
‘“The risks of untreated depression during pregnancy are significant,” Berard, from the CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital in Montreal, said. “Given the safety of most antidepressants during pregnancy, a careful evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio should be done before deciding to discontinue their use. Although physicians and women think they are protecting their unborn child, they might be doing just the contrary.” ‘
Interesting.
It was also one of the things I forgot to bring up with the Midwife, and it is making me slightly nervous. I don’t think it’ll be a problem, as I do have a significant medical reason for staying on my anti-depressant. (And to be honest, other than a couple of weeks really early on in this pregnancy I am feeling very well emotionally!) I just hope they aren’t disapproving. I am open to switching, especially if it turns out I can’t stay on celexa during breastfeeding. I’m a little worried about how switching would go (if I switch and find out the new one doesn’t work for me very well, etc), but breastfeeding is very important to me so it’d be worth the trial-and-error.
Luckily, being on anti-depressants does not make me any higher risk or anything. It’s just a side issue. Hopefully it doesn’t affect the baby at all, but I would be far more worried about how my depression would affect the baby.
I am also a little worried about what’s going to happen (to me) after the baby is born. I know that having diagnosed depression puts me at a higher risk for post-partum depression. Since my depression seems to be managed just fine with medication (at least this particular medication), I am hoping that, with some small adjustments of dosage, if necessary, I will avoid any major depression after the baby is born. I sure hope so.
Having recently been there and done that, here’s a few pointers. I, too, took Celexa and take it now. I reduced my dose during pregnancy and did pretty well on the lower dose. My doc said I didn’t need to change the dose, but I felt better about exposing Max to less in utero and still maintained pretty well.
If breastfeeding is very important to you, then the best advice I can offer is to switch to a breastfeeding safer antidepressant NOW. Do not try to switch later in pregnancy, do not try to switch postpartum. It will be tooooo hard emotionally when things will already be hard. Get used to the new med while you are relatively sane. ;o) Make sure your doc hand holds you through the transition. Be super careful, report any weird symptoms, and take your time to transition.
Personally, I breastfed my first 3 boys. Max just couldn’t latch well and it was more important to me to be a happy, good mommy than to breastfeed. A happy mommy helps make a happy baby. I needed to stay on the Celexa to do that. Do I miss nursing sometimes? Sure, but overall this was the best decision not only for me, but the entire family.
Don’t let folks judge you, no matter what your decision. You have to keep yourself healthy, not only physically, but emotionally as well, so you can be the best mom you can be.
Email any time if you want to talk more about this.
I was just going to write something similiar to this:
Personally, I breastfed my first 3 boys. Max just couldn’t latch well and it was more important to me to be a happy, good mommy than to breastfeed. A happy mommy helps make a happy baby. I needed to stay on the Celexa to do that. Do I miss nursing sometimes? Sure, but overall this was the best decision not only for me, but the entire family.
Don’t let folks judge you, no matter what your decision. You have to keep yourself healthy, not only physically, but emotionally as well, so you can be the best mom you can be.
DITTO. YOU being a healthy mommy is the most important part. Your little one will get fed and thrive, no matter what. *hugs tight*
I agree that you need to stay on anti-depressants. You need to make sure you take care of yourself, so you can take care of your family. I think Tertia at SoClose has discussed anti-depressant use during pregnancy and post partum a few times in her blog.
Once I get pregnant, I have every intention of staying on the zoloft and wellbutrin. My psychiatrist and re both are very comfortable, and agree it is better for me to be on the lowest effective dose than struggle with depression or anxiety.