Can I harm my baby?

I suffer from panic disorder and just recently found out I'm expecting. I take Lexapro (10 mg) and although my Dr. doesn't foresee a problem with my taking it I'm afraid it will harm the baby. I'm also thinking about asking for a c section when the day comes for fear that I will suffer from post pardum depression. I'm also worried that although I haven't had any real morning sickness I have experienced mild headaches and dizziness. I read that it's a bad sign if there is no morning sickness. is that true? Lastly, will i pass on my panic disorder to my baby?

Sorry for all the questions but worrying is what I do. Any answers would be appreciated.

Thank You!

[ducky406]

If you're worried about the drug you're on, look it up in a medical book or online. These usually tell you what kind of class their in. Like Vitamins are in A or something because they're usually really safe to take... where as my lipitor is in X because it's known to cause dangerous problems (deformities or miscarriages) during a pregnancy. If you don't trust your doctors opinion, as a pharmacist. Usually they've got an extensive knowledge on the type of drugs they hand out, so they will know if something is flagged as dangerous. That being said one of my friends did loose a baby because of an anxiety disorder that cause lots of stress, high blood pressure, and occasional panic attacks. So even if you are wary, remember you are prescribed them for a reason and can even help keep both you and the baby safer than without them. (This is usually where the doctor's opinion comes in because they have to way up if it's safer to have the drug or not.)

Panic disorders aren't necessarily hereditary. Sometimes if someone has something like hyperthyroidism that causes frequent panic attacks then there is a strong family history associated with that. So no guarantee either way about passing on it to the baby; it really depends on what causes the disorder. Even then genetics aren't always a clear copy and paste- environment plays a huge factor.

I really don't think a c section would make you less likely to have postpartum depression- that might be a little hearsay. Postpartum depression is really caused by the huge differences in hormones and your body trying to regulate them (or at least from what I understand). Personally, it's a very scary thought and I might be more at risk as I have suffered from major depression in the past. That being said, although I'm not currently ttc, I have taken steps about it. 1: Talk to your partner. Let them know how you're feeling, and what to watch out for. Any major mood differences, sometimes an outside person has a better chance of seeing that then we do.  If you are doing this alone, ask a friend or relative to help you in those crucial few weeks after birth to make sure you're mental health is doing ok. 2: talk to your ob/gyn they will help you learn about preventative measure, vitamins and the like that might help lower your risk. They will also help give you a list of what you need to watch out for. 3: if you do start feeling a little down, maybe talk to your doctor about seeing a counselor or psychiatrist. There is no need to jump straight to pills, but maybe just talking to someone could help.

As far as your morning sickness- some people have difficultly eating ANYTHING because they just feel constantly sick. Others have difficulty not eating or cooking food because they get so hungry so fast. And others still have no obvious symptoms of pregnancy until they get the belly, boobs, and kicks. A woman can even experience different symptoms during different pregnancies. My mom's friend had 6.. her first one the only thing she could stomach the first 3 months was a baked potato. Her second one she had no morning sickness at all, she would just have to eat. Each of her pregnancies were different. But all of her kids and heck even her kid's kids are healthy and good. Whether or not you have morning sickness doesn't mean you'll have a bad/good/hard/easy/unhealthy/healthy pregnancy. It's just down to the woman, their pregnancy, and what's going on in their body at that time. No worries.

[jach918]

Thank you so much for your help. you have really helped to put my mind at ease. I will definitely discuss through post pardum issues with my husband. As for the Lexapro, it is a C drug. My Dr. says he thinks it's best for me if I stay on the drug because he thinks I won't do well off of it. He also says the risk of harm coming to the baby from the Lexapro is minute.

Thanks again for your help.