https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:34:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2591063 Sat, 23 Jul 2016 12:03:56 +0000 Magna Doodle 2591063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have taken 10mg of Lexapro on and off for 10 years. It's what works for me and my anxiety/depression. I was on it during my entire pregnancy without issue. My Doctor said benefits outweigh the risks.</p> <p>Baby is happy and healthy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2591059 Sat, 23 Jul 2016 11:41:36 +0000 wheres_c 2591059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and the reason I quit is the same as @Truth Bombs. My anxiety is health related and I would be wondering the whole pregnancy if I was harming the baby. Then, god forbid if anything were to be an issue with the baby, I'd probably blame myself forever, even if they were unrelated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2591058 Sat, 23 Jul 2016 11:39:14 +0000 wheres_c 2591058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was on Lexapro when I became pregnant and I spent the first two weeks of my pregnancy going through horrible withdrawals after quitting cold turkey.<br /> When I saw my OB he was shocked that I just straight up quit. He said lexapro is mostly safe, definitely safer than being an anxious person, and that his wife took it with all four of her pregnancies with no issues.<br /> He did say that some studies have shown higher incidences of heart issues in babies with mothers with lexapro(I don't have any links or anything), but the risk is extremely minimal and he wouldn't think twice about advising his wife or a patient to continue it.<br /> Ultimately I did stay off the meds so far, through personal choice and have only had one or two flare ups, but my doctor had no issues with remaining on it.<br /> If you're set on staying on it, I'd switch OBs to someone who can have an honest discussion about the risks and be supportive of whatever you choose. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2591028 Sat, 23 Jul 2016 09:30:44 +0000 IRunForFun 2591028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: Thanks! Like you, a lot of my anxiety is health related, so I'm feeling similarly. Maybe if it wasn't health related I'd have an easier time making the decision, who knows! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590956 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 22:06:02 +0000 Truth Bombs 2590956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been on lexapro a few times, but I more frequently just use Xanax as needed since I tend to be more prone to panic attacks than ongoing constant anxiety symptoms. @Paddington10: 's points were really true for me. The stress of the medicine possibly causing the baby harm would have been unbearable for me (health issues are one of my biggest triggers) so I opted out completely. I found that my hormonal changes during pregnancy and nursing really were very effective and I rarely missed my Xanax with my first. But I was back looking for a new prescription shortly after weaning. With my second, my experience was the same during pregnancy, but while nursing I have not felt as calm as I did last time around. I think the stress of a full time job and two kids and a husband who works long hours gets to me, but I have still remained drug free through these 8 months of nursing. Once we wean I'm sure I'll be refilling my Xanax again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590904 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 19:31:34 +0000 IRunForFun 2590904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babycanuck: Thanks! I started out on 10 mg but it wasn't quite doing it for me, which is why I bumped to 20. But 10 might be at least tolerable, if not ideal. I would also take Xanax as needed before pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590901 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 19:26:55 +0000 babycanuck 2590901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: also I have always been on 10 mg I take nightly. The only time I took less was a period of time the dr weaned me and I went back on six months later. 10 seems to do the trick me for me. I have also taken Ativan a couple of times after my pregnancy and I'm EBF and my doc was not at all concerned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590899 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 19:16:53 +0000 IRunForFun 2590899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babycanuck: Thanks for chiming in! </p> <p>@MrsSRS: So, my OB's office sucks at this. The midwife group I'm wanting to switch to, I'm not technically a patient yet because I haven't had my first appointment. I did try calling them today just in case, but their office is closed Friday afternoons. </p> <p>@macintosh: Thank you! I wonder if maybe I could get down to 10 mg and be OK. The fact that Buspar has a short half-life and needs to be taken more frequently factors in to why it isn't a first line drug for anxiety according to my doctor. I'm fine with taking something a few times a day if it works...just dreading the SSRI withdrawal and the unknown of a new med. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590888 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 18:53:47 +0000 macintosh 2590888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was on 20 mg Lexapro when planning my IVF cycle. My GP wanted me to see how if I could reduce my dose and possibly come off it. I went down to 10 mg and ended up staying there because she cited some new study. She also said the benefit outweighs the risk in her opinion. My son had no issues and I was on other meds, too. I just recently went back up to 20 mg and I feel better than ever.</p> <p>My DH is on buspar for anxiety. It helps for him, but he's also on the Lexapro. Apparently buspar is short acting, so he takes it 3x per day.</p> <p>I'd recommend talking directly to your doctor about your concerns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590884 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 18:48:28 +0000 MrsSRS 2590884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my midwife group if I had called and explained this they would have fit me in for an emergency appointment asap. Maybe yours can? Hoping you get lots of helpful advice fx! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590871 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 18:25:05 +0000 babycanuck 2590871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stayed on it through my whole pregnancy at the recommendation of my dr and definitely glad I did. I was emotional with it, can't imagine without it. No issues with my bub. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590869 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 18:24:41 +0000 IRunForFun 2590869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: Thanks!</p> <p>@macintosh: Great, thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590864 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 18:02:38 +0000 macintosh 2590864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have some experience. I'll reply after I put DS to sleep 😊 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590856 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 17:33:16 +0000 ladybee 2590856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I apologize, I did not read your whole post as I am solo parenting. I have taken Celexa on and off for ten years. In my first pregnancy, I did not take it and did well. My hormones really did fix all my anxiety issues. I've never been calmer. I went back on for PPD/PPA for a year and a half after. I was off for three months and doing ok when I got pregnant again. This pregnancy was so different. I was anxious, depressed, emotional and falling apart. It got worse with every week that passed. I was sent to a psychiatrist and put on Zoloft at 14 weeks. I was on it my whole pregnancy and my son is beautiful and had minor issues at birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590850 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 17:26:02 +0000 IRunForFun 2590850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone else? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590705 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 14:13:05 +0000 IRunForFun 2590705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Paddington10: Thanks! Yeah, for me I just feel like without the Lexapro I'll be much more sick and putting my baby at harm than with it. Could you wall me links to some of the studies? I've been trying to find some that talk about the NICU connection... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590703 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 14:10:15 +0000 Paddington10 2590703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! I could have written this post, almost. I have been bounced between Paxil, Zoloft, et cetera for a decade -- until finding Lexapro worked the best for me.</p> <p>However, I decided to opt to completely go off it and all anxiety medications for the duration of both of my pregnancies for the reasons you cited -- NICU issues, etc. </p> <p>I withdrew from Lexapro during the first two weeks of my pregnancy. It was horrible, I won't lie. I got hideous headaches and "brain zap" pain (anyone who has ever withdrawn from SSRIs will know what I mean) and felt jittery and off. The good news was, it went completely away. Oddly, I think the hormones in pregnancy help with anxiety. I still cope with symptoms but they are manageable. I also see a CBT therapist and meditate. Both have helped me a lot. </p> <p>Do I miss Lexapro? Yes. But I knew given my anxious ways, I'd be very afraid that something could hurt the baby, which ultimately made me decide to just quit.</p> <p>FWIW, my doctor also told me Lexapro wasn't "the best" but said it was better than being depressed, anxious or ill the whole time. The real danger, she said, would be taking something like Xanax routinely in pregnancy. I think if you need it and know it works for you, keep on it and don't mess around with a new med in your pg. You don't know how it will affect you or even if it will help. Plus they take six weeks to fully kick in. Just my 2 cents. I have studies a lot about this so feel free to PM me if you want to! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-and-pregnancy#post-2590698 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 13:59:50 +0000 IRunForFun 2590698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know SSRI use and pregnancy has been discussed before, and I've often been a participant who has championed the use of certain meds. Now I'm kind of having a conundrum and looking for anecdotes!</p> <p>Short background, I've been on and off SSRIs for severe anxiety for about 15 years. Without them I am pretty low-functioning. Can't sleep, can't eat, borderline agoraphobic, panic attacks, etc. A couple years ago I switched from Paxil to something safer for pregnancy. I tried Zoloft first, and didn't do well on it. So my doctor went with Lexapro as a second-best option. I've been happily taking it since.</p> <p>Fast forward to earlier this week, I'm almost 14 weeks pregnant and went into the doctor for a refill. At the appointment he told me that maybe Lexapro isn't the best option, based on some studies apparently showing that mothers who take Lexapro during the third trimester have a higher incidence of babies needing NICU due to what they believe are withdrawal symptoms. Vomiting, respiratory issues, inability to regulate temp and blood sugar, etc. Obviously that sounds awful and having been through SSRI withdrawal myself, I would never want to put a baby through it. </p> <p>So the doctor recommended Buspar, a non-SSRI specifically for anxiety. But, I still need to wean slowly from the Lexapro and adjust slowly to the Buspar. Having done that dance before I know it is a nightmare. I'm only 48 hours into decreasing the Lexapro dose by a mere 5 mgs and I'm feeling the effects. Jittery, stomach upset, etc. I have SO much going on in my life right now that I just can't imagine getting through this in one piece.</p> <p>I called the OBs office for their opinion, and they had a nurse call me back and tell me the safety ratings for the medications and that yes, Buspar is rated safer for pregnancy. So unhelpful. I know that. I wanted to have a discussion about my personal situation and the risks vs. benefits scale but she said my other doctor would know better. I've been unhappy with my OBs office and am actually in the process of switching, but don't have an appointment with the midwife group until Aug. 3 and they can't offer an opinion when they haven't even seen me yet. </p> <p>I'm so torn. </p> <p>Can anyone who has taken Lexapro in pregnancy tell me about their decision, their dosage, and whether everything turned out OK. Did anyone taking Lexapro have a baby with health issues initially? </p> <p>Thanks! </p>