COULD PAXIL BE CAUSING MY BABY'S UNFREQUENT MOVEMENTS?

i am currently about 20 weeks into my 4th pregnancy. i have been taking paxil 12.5 mg for 2 years; my doctor advised me to stop taking it, but, given my situation, i feel it is in my best interest to continue on this medication since i have bipolar disorder. my baby hardly ever kicks or moves. he/she is very calm. once in a while i'll feel a gentle push-that's about it. i was just wondering if any of you have any experience with this medication and pregnancy.



sienna

[IWantToBeAMom]

Um...there was something on the news just the other day about Paxil and not being good for pg women.  Let me see what I can find.

[IWantToBeAMom]

From www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,178229,00.html

Paxil: Stronger Birth Defects Warning
Friday, December 09, 2005
By Miranda Hitti


STORIES

[dandeelyon]

Here is an article on Paxil use during late pregnancy.  You may want to see if you can switch to a different anit-d.  I know zoloft and wellbutrin are prescribed during pregnancy and seem to have less affects on the babies.  I know everyone is different when it comes to medications though.  I know I can't take paxil, celexa or effexor and those seem to be the miracle drugs for many.  I am not you, however, if I were, I would probably consider trying a different med.  I can certainly understand and appreciate the fact that you don't want to go off though.  My husband is bi-polar and you can definately tell when he has stopped taking his med.

http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/treatment/antidepressants/articles/004.asp

Good luck and I hope everything works well for the rest of your pregnancy.

[anothergirl]

I'm 7 months and take Wellbutrin. The baby has regular periods of movement and sometimes feels like she's having a personal party in there. I haven't had side effects after an initial period of insomnia.

[first time mommy]

Just another follow up question. My husband has been taking Paxil for years. Does anyone know if the father takes the drug if it effects the baby upon fertilization?

[shubunkin2974]

i agree..if your doc advised you to stop taking it then you should BUT.........i took Paxil cr 12.5 mg till i was 7 months pregnant. My doctor told me it was ok. My now 8 month old is fine and i always felt him move alot to the point where i was uncomfortable at times. Like i said that was well over a year ago and studies are always changing so now i guess it is not deemed safe. It is always best to take nothing if you can but like you said you feel it is best given your circumstances so you might want to see about switching to another more safer one even though in another year they may be deemed unsafe also..never came tell.........good luck to you for a happy and healthy pregnancy!

[springbabyonway]

I THINK IF YOU DOCTOR ADVISED YOU TO STOP TAKING IT-THEN YOU SHOULD. BUT IF YOU ARE NOT READY MENTALLY TO COME OFF IT, DEFINATLY TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THIS-IM SURE THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT COULD HELP YOU THAT IS LESS HARMFULL. I THINK YOU SHOULD CALL YOUR DOC.

[Kel Kel1]

im on a few drugs for bi-polar and when i found out i was pregnant my doctor and I looked up the effects it can have on the baby.  They usually classify the drugs danger lever in groups of A, B, C, D, X and so on.  My meds are C levels and are considered safer then most.  I was told any levels past C can be a real danger.  We also talked like someone else mentioned that you can switch to another med that is safer.  I also have that option but since it took years of getting the meds right and me being healty in mind we are going to stick to the ones im on and just monitor the baby.  The best of luck to you i know how hard that can be.

[D's mom]

you need to stop taking it...why would u continue if ur doc told u to stop? he should also be looking into putiing u on somethiung else if u absolutely have to be on something....ur baby's health should be at ur priority list girl...take care!!