43 pregnant with 4th child (unplanned) stopped paxil

I'm 43 years old and have three children (14,11,7).  I just found out that I'm pregnant 6 weeks.  We literally had sex once this month and used a condom.  Anyway, I'm so frightened because I have been taking paxil since the birth of my last child because of an anxiety disorder.  The dr. told me I had to stop immediately so I did.  I've read that paxil causes birth defects especially if taken in the first trimester.  I was on a very low dose (10 mg) but am petrified.  I also behaved like a college student this past month and was drunk on more than 3 occasions.  I just can't believe this is happening.  Could somebody please help to ease my fears.  I am afraid something is going to be wrong with this baby not only because of the paxil and alchol but I'm 43! I also am trying desperately not to get myself in a state where I feel I need another medication because I won't take any thing while pregnant.

[5preg2B]

I'm sure you will be fine..  The dr will probably monitor you heavily this time due to ama.  I am also having my fourth and am looking foward to him/her..  good luck

[ImmortalOne]

Pregnancies that are going to stay normally are amazingly resilient to the stupid things we do before we find out we are pregnant.  I think that you will be fine, many of us have drinking binges or do stupid stuff before we found out.  Hang in there, and if you need something later remember to speak to your doctor.  I'm on Celexa for my mental health right now and so far we are doing well, I'm 21 weeks tomorrow.

[ajemmom]

I was on Effexor XR for the first 6 weeks of my last pregnancy b/c I did not know I was pregnant.  I was told to stop right away, not even wean myself off, and I was worried my entire pregnancy too!  I ended up having a healthy baby boy!  Best wishes!

[AndiJ78]

I am sure your doctor will continue to monitor you throughout the pregnancy and keep an eye out for common abnormailities that can develop as a result of the Paxil. Good news is that chances are the binge drinking shouldn't pose much of a danger. Not much comfort, but those few isolated incedents most likely occured befor the baby really started getting much from you. Same with the Paxil,

Do remember that the first 3+ weeks of the pregnancy involved the time from your period, through ovulation, then eventually implantation. Not to meniton the placenta takes some time to form, so odds are the exposure to the Paxil was minimal.

Make sure your doctor registers you and your pregnancy with Paxil and that you are both mindful of the potential problems. You are a lot further along than the many women who had no idea there was a problem and again, your baby's exposure was very limited.

Andrea.

[kris123]

I don't know if I would stop you med altogeather without talking to your dr.  You may hurt yourself more then help.  I am taking a med for my bi-polor disorder and it is a class C med also, which means it hasn't been proven that it causes harm, but they are not really sure.  If I stopped my med, it would do more harm to me and my baby.  I'm 29w6d and my baby is fine.  

[edemamae]

Can the dr tell if there is something wrong with the baby's heart before it's born?  I was on 10mg of Paxil for the first 6wk not knowing I was pregnant.  It was more of a safety net for myself.  The dr. wasn't even sure if it was doing anything for me.  I wish I knew what the chances were that there would be a birth defect with this baby.  The dose was low and I stopped immediately.  Does anyone have any feed back on this?