meds or stay off..../

[lil_mommy1st]

I am 11 weeks pregnant and I have depression that at times r bad. I have meds that I take bit not able to take whole pregnant. I have always wanted to breastfeed but not sire what is best for the baby. Get back on my meds and just use formula or stay off and breastfeed? Would love others advice, I just want what is best for my baby.

[brice1967]

Obviously, you'll want to talk that over with your doctors.  On the outside looking in, you have to do what's right for both you and your child. (I'm a guy so this probably means nothing.)

Have you seen a therapist about the depression?  Medicine alone is about 30% of what needs to be done.  Addressing what is causing the depression is at least 70% of what needs to be done.  The medicine is a band aide....

[nursegirl6572]

The decision to take meds during pregnancy is one that should be discussed very carefully with your OB/GYN, then all benefits and risks must be weighed.  It's a very person decision that only YOU can make.  I'm sure your doc will tell you...but there are some meds that are considered "safer" during pregnancy than others.  If you decide to go back on something, your doc will advise you on which meds are the better options.

There are no guarantees when it comes to meds and safety during pregnancy, but I can tell you that it's quite common these days for women to remain on their mood disiorder medications.  I took an antidepressant during one of my pregnancies, with no negative outcomes.

Breastfeeding is also a very personal choice.  If you are taking medications, you may be advised to bottle feed.  I'm not a HUGE believer in the mindset that there are that many more benefits to breast vs bottle.

YOU decide what YOU want to do after receiving the necessary info.  Do NOT let anyone "pressure" you either way.  I was extremely offended at the level the hospital staff went to to try to "bully" me into breastfeeding.  I had decided ahead of time (for many well thought out reasons) that I did not want to nurse.  They just would NOT let it go until I had to get a little nasty about it.

Unless there are medical contraindications against one of the options....stick to your decision.  

Best of luck!

[4Maddie44]

Hello, I have seen nother posts about this.  If you go to search in the top right hand corner and put in your question, it will come up with the past postings on nthis.  I hope it helps.  Nice to talk to someone who has been through the same.

Good luck, and take care

[thatquietgirl]

You want to talk to your doctor about the ramifications of taking your meds for depression while pregnant.  Certain drugs can be harmful for the baby, but if you feel you need something, I'm sure you and your doctor can find a medication that's not known to be harmful.

As far as what is best for the baby, you want to at least breastfeed at first.  It is better for them due to the things in first milk, but it's up to you.  Discuss this with your doctor and figure out what is best given your mental health history.  If your depression is not maintainable for long without medication, it would be better for your baby to have a stable mother who's bottle feeding than one who's unstable and breastfeeding.

[RainLover71]

You really need to talk with your doctor about such matters.