I have taken a low dose of an SSRI for anxiety and mild depression for over four years. I am concerned that my doctor is going to take me off of my drug or switch me to a new drug during pregnancy and the negative affects this could have on my mental health.
Did you have to change medication before or during pregnancy?
How did you manage your anxiety or depression throughout pregnancy in a baby-safe way?
Any advice for me as I schedule an appointment to discuss this with my doctor?
pear / 1750 posts
I was on 20 mg of lexapro and my dr. had me cut down to 10 mg. I was fine on that.
My dr. seemed like she would have preferred to have me off it completely, but she did say that she considered having uncontrolled depression during pregnancy worse than any possible risks of taking the medication (risk vs. benefit). DS was not affected in any way.
pomelo / 5509 posts
I switched from Paxil to Lexapro before TTC. I tried Zoloft in between because it's supposed to be "safest" for pregnancy but I didn't do well on it. My psych, GP, and OB all agreed a low dose of Lexapro was better than uncontrolled anxiety (mine is pretty severe...like can't eat or sleep) during a pregnancy. I feel fine about it and have heard plenty of stories of perfectly healthy pregnancies and babies on this medication. The benefits outweigh the risks for me.
ETA: I'm 11 weeks pregnant now. And, if your doctor isn't supportive of what you feel you need, I highly suggest shopping around for a new doctor.
cantaloupe / 6634 posts
I took 25 MG of zoloft (very very low dosage.) After two miscarriages, I needed the "help." I also see a therapist for anxiety. I have been on zoloft my whole adult life.
My son is perfectly healthy. In my opinion, you can't take care of baby if you don't take care of mama.
cantaloupe / 6869 posts
I actually stopped Zoloft (for post partum anxiety) right before this pregnancy but I was assured that I could continue on it if I needed to. There have been several moms on here that have taken anxiety medication throughout their pregnancy (all different kinds) and I've never seen any kind of problem arise from taking it. I agree with others that a healthy you equals a healthy pregnancy and baby.
cherry / 163 posts
@simplyfelicity: Same! I have been on the same very, very low dose for a long time. Good to know you had a perfectly fine experience! Thanks for sharing.
cherry / 155 posts
I have been on Lexapro and Valium for years for panic disorder!
Did you have to change medication before or during pregnancy?
I went off completely. For me, the "what if?" would be anxiety-producing. It hasn't been ideal, but I think I would end up panicking over whether the medication would affect the baby, so I just decided not to take anything. My dr. did seem OK with me taking a low dose of Lexapro if I had to though. Valium, less so.
How did you manage your anxiety or depression throughout pregnancy in a baby-safe way?
I see a therapist once per week. If I am having a tough time sleeping, I take Tylenol PM.
Any advice for me as I schedule an appointment to discuss this with my doctor?
Ask for specifics about the exact risks by trimester. I never felt I got a clear answer and just felt that generally it "wasn't ideal."
grapefruit / 4079 posts
@Mrs. Blush: I took Celexa before pregnancy but stopped shortly before I found out I was pregnant. My depression and anxiety sky rocketed and was at its worse around 16 weeks pregnant. I saw a psychiatrist that put me on Zoloft. My doctor took me off it in my third because he felt it wasn't safe. My high risk doctor was livid and put me on Celexa. Mental health is so important. My OB is super old school.
If I'm ever pregnant again, I'll be on Zoloft immediately.
cherry / 163 posts
@Paddington10: Thanks so much for sharing! I feel the same about the risk of the medication also being anxiety-inducing, and I'm worried I will freak out about its affects on the baby as well! But I am so nervous about being off the medication completely. I am going to also begin to see a therapist and see how they can help me work through this issue.
And very good advice about the OB visit - I could see myself being in the same situation and not understanding exactly the risk at different points in the pregnancy
cantaloupe / 6634 posts
Is this your first LO? I will say that if there is ever a good time to continue to be on mess (if you deal with anxiety and/or depression) is during the postpartum period with a newborn. It's amazing but also INSANE. I don't know how I wold have functioned without zoloft.
cherry / 163 posts
@simplyfelicity: Yes, our first! And I am concerned about the possibility of ppd, too. I remember when I first began taking zoloft, and how much better I felt. I never wanted to be one of those people who relied on medicine to manage, but it literally changed my life. Even though I am on a small dose, I am concerned about not having it + pregnancy hormones + impending potential ppd. I am beginning the search for a good therapist before ttc, just to have another tool in my belt.
nectarine / 2797 posts
I was on 75 mg Zoloft when I got pregnant. I weaned down over pregnancy to 25 mg and stayed there, and am still there 3 mo postpartum. It's all about mental health balance, an anxious or depressed mama isn't healthy for a growing baby either.
persimmon / 1310 posts
I just wanted to mention another possibility. We always fear what pregnancy and post-partum hormones will do, and that was a big concern for me beforehand also. I had used medication for my anxiety in the past (but wasn't on it when I got pregnant). Turns out that those hormones were actually good for me. I was the least anxious I'd been in two decades. Just thought you'd like to hear about that possibility.
cherry / 163 posts
@iced tea: Yay! I have also been wondering if pregnancy hormones will help to "mellow out" my anxiety. Good to know they did for someone out there! Thanks for sharing!
cherry / 163 posts
Ok - so it's a been a while since I posted this. But I wanted to report back in case anyone down the road is reading!
I spoke to my OBGYN about this issue, and she really wasn't concerned. She said this is an issue they would usually address following getting pregnant. She re-confirmed what most have said about risk v. benefit.
Hopefully once I am dealing with this for real (instead of just hypothetically) I will remember to post my experience here in hopes that it can help the next bee! 
pomelo / 5509 posts
@Mrs. Blush: Because I commented on this thread originally and have had changes, I thought I'd comment. I saw my doctor when I was 13 weeks, and the same doctor who had me switch to Lexapro because it was safer for pregnancy, said based on new studies he no longer felt comfortable with it. I was so so so upset since I'd gone through a tough med transition before getting pregnant so I wouldn't have to do it while pregnant. I double-checked with my midwife and she agreed with my doctor. So I spent 2 weeks weaning off the Lexapro and the doctor started me on a non-SSRI medication for anxiety called Buspar.
It's been really, really rough on me. I'm still having withdrawal symptoms and the Buspar isn't that effective. I'm actually about to increase my dose in hopes that it helps. I'm 17 weeks now and over the past few weeks have had trouble eating and sleeping which is no good for pregnancy and I'm just really unhappy with how the whole thing was handled.
I'm not saying this to scare you, but maybe prepare you. If I could go back and do it over I'd make 200% sure I would not need to make any switches during pregnancy. I wouldn't recommend waiting until pregnancy to address it because there's so much else happening with your body.
Obviously this is just my experience and my opinion but I wish I'd known so I wanted to share!!
cherry / 163 posts
@Irunforfun: I am so sorry! That sounds really crappy 
I am really glad you shared this... my gut is telling me to seek another opinion, but I don't want to just for the sake of convenience. I'm glad you shared this. Keep us updated if you can - I'm anxious (haha) to see how it continues to go for you and if the Buspar ends up kicking in and getting you into a better place. I'll let you know what else I find out and experience as well.
Did the dr share any of the new studies with you?
Good luck!
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