https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:23:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-take-anti-depressantsother-psych-drugs-while-pregnant-or-breastfeeding#post-23679 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:04:43 +0000 Rosie Girl 23679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took Lexapro while pregnant with DS. I did cut down to half my normal dose though. This pregnancy, I can't even cut down. I am taking my regular dose. I tried to cut down, but with my depression, and the mix of pregnancy hormones, it was not good! I know that it is not ideal, but I also know that my body/mind can't handle it, and I think its better to take my meds then super depressed during pregnancy, which can affect the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-take-anti-depressantsother-psych-drugs-while-pregnant-or-breastfeeding#post-15603 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:52:56 +0000 Sunshyne37 15603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Although I haven't been pregnant (or breastfead), this is one of my biggest fears about TTC/pregnancy. I have been on anti-depressants on and off for about 6 years, and consistently for the past 2 years. I am afraid I am going to turn into a monster, not to mention the hormonal swings of going off BC/getting pregnant, then the sleeplessness and change associated with actually beginning parenthood.<br /> Thank you so much for posting!<br /> @Skibobrown - I'm going to check that one out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-take-anti-depressantsother-psych-drugs-while-pregnant-or-breastfeeding#post-12455 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:21:03 +0000 skibobrown 12455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you ever read dooce.com? She is a blogger with a massive following who has two kids and severe depression. She blogged about her depression, meds, etc. through both of her pregnancies, so there are some very useful accounts in there. I believe she continued taking her medication during her second pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-take-anti-depressantsother-psych-drugs-while-pregnant-or-breastfeeding#post-12333 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:14:53 +0000 twodoghouse 12333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you Lozza, I really appreciate hearing your story. Also, I love the picture of your little boy in the owl hat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-take-anti-depressantsother-psych-drugs-while-pregnant-or-breastfeeding#post-12302 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:00:12 +0000 Lozza 12302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>YES.</p> <p>I was not on meds while TTC, but I had an awful pregnancy, and my OB actually put me on Zoloft when I was about 35 weeks pregnant. She said she had zero qualms about it and was not at all worried about the baby's health. Both my OB and my pediatrician wanted me to stay on the Zoloft after the birth, and my pediatrician said that she was totally fine with me breastfeeding while on Zoloft. I ended up going off the meds basically right after giving birth (forgot to take them to the hospital with me, and never started back up), which is not an objectively good thing to do, but I ended up being fine.</p> <p>My point is that all of my healthcare providers agreed that there are definitely medications that they are totally comfortable prescribing for pregnant/nursing women, and that it is FAR better to have a stable, happy mom who feels able to take care of herself and her child, even if that means meds.</p> <p>When we TTC again, I don't think I'll go back on meds right away, but if I feel anything like how I felt with my last pregnancy, I will start talking to my OB about going on them ASAP.</p> <p>Another friend of mine was on Prozac for her last pregnancy (after trying to get off of it for her first pregnancy, which she says nearly killed her marriage), and her OB used to say that the greatest risk he was worried about from her being on Prozac was the judgment she'd face from other people.</p> <p>I don't mean to be all "drugs are great! everyone should take some all the time!" but I really think that the benefits outweigh the risks in many cases and that women should feel like it's good and ok to prioritize their mental health during pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-take-anti-depressantsother-psych-drugs-while-pregnant-or-breastfeeding#post-12258 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:33:58 +0000 twodoghouse 12258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been off my medicines (an anti-depressant, mood stabilizer and an occasional Xanax when needed) since starting TTC (around last February). For the most part, I've done ok without it. I hit rough patches and NOT getting pregnant every month certainly doesn't help. Overall though, I've sort of considered my depression "in remission." </p> <p>Recently though, I feel sucked back into that dark hole. It's been a very difficult fall and this time of year is always the hardest for me. I had an appointment with my psychiatrist this morning and she's prescribed me a light box. She also talked very seriously about the fact that many women with severe, chronic depression use anti-depressants throughout their pregnancy and their babies are just fine. </p> <p>Has anyone been on psychiatric medicine while pregnant? I really really don't want to go back on it, but I know I will if I have to. I think I'd rather be med-free during pregnancy and then go back on medication after the (hypothetical because I'm not pregnant yet) baby is born, even if it means giving up breastfeeding. I guess I could just use some support/anecdotes of what worked for moms who have dealt with depression. </p>