Taking Fluoxetine being pregnant

[Melissaayres]

I used to take Fluoxetine 20mg ( for depression and anxiety) for a few years, but now I stop as I am 7 weeks pregnant. But my work is extremely stressful and I am finding very hard to cope with all the stress at the moment. Is anyone else taking anti-depressives while pregnant? Any advice?

[stephfox89]

I was on cypralex for years as well to help with my anxiety. When I became pregnant my hormones mixed with stress didn't help at all and my anxiety was at an all time high. I asked me on Sundayif it was safe to continue taking my medication since I had stopped when I found out I was pregnant. She said its impk tofor the mother to be 100% ok, of she isn't, the baby will be effected and suggested to stay on them. My doctor also went online and said they really dint have anything to say about bad birth deffects while mothers being on them. I'd say to ask your doctor, she may want to switch you to a medication that she knows more about, you have to take care of yourself in order for the baby to be safe. I wish you the best of luck and if you ever need someone to talk to just pm me :)

[5Nov]

I am on Anafranil, very strong dose. I really struggle to cope and function normally if I am not on antidepressants. I have been on antidepressants on and off (more on than off) for the last 15 years.
If you get depressed you don't take proper care of yourself and baby, so I think it is better to stay on them.
Just make sure whether what you are using is safe, as not all of them are.
Good luck, and msg me if you want to talk.

[ksarahd]

I was taking Zoloft for years prior to finding out I was pregnant. As soon as I found out I weaned myself down off of it. It has been hard, especially the first month that I was off of it. I feel that my hormones mixed with the fact that I was adjusting to no medication made me near unbearable. I am a constant worrier and I know i drove my husband crazy for a while. But I am feeling so much better now. I know that many women are able to stay on medication and go on to have completely normal and healthy babies. But I am too worried to even attempt it. I did a lot of reading on what birth defects have been linked to antidepressants and I can't justify in my mind taking that risk. Even if the risk is very small there still is a chance that a decision that I made could harm my baby. Whatever you decide to do will be right for your family. So the only thing that I would recommend would be to give it some time to see if you start to feel a little better. Set yourself a goal, maybe one month with no medication and if you still feel horrible go back to your doctor and discuss it with them. I read that the anti depressants are also most dangerous to your baby during the first trimester so maybe try to make it through that and see how you feel. Just make sure your goal is one you can achieve. I really dislike my job and if I didn't have a baby on the way I would have quit already but we need the money and I have medical benefits so I am going to tough it out. I just pass my time one week at a time, I make it to the weekend and then I can relax. That has helped me tremendously. I am hoping the very best for you and your little one! Good luck!