anti anxiety meds

[AML0212]

Anyone on anti anxiety medication? Or have been for prior pregnancies? I'm 23 weeks and I'm so worried about a lot of things making me sick (I also struggle with OCD and it has gotten really bad the last couple months, I spend a lot of time washing my hands). The worst thing for me is that we've had a cat living with us for the last three months and I am terrified of toxoplasmosis and it has really ruined me as far as my anxiety goes... gahh... (the cat is no longer living with us after today, but I feel like the whole house is contaminated).
Anyway, anyone on medication for anxiety or was for a previous pregnancy? My doctor said she could prescribe something, but that makes me nervous to be on medication while pregnant. I don't want that to harm my son either. But the stress might be worse...

[AML0212]

Thanks for all the advice ladies, I will definitely consider all you've said. I do plan on steam cleaning the floors in the house and that should really help with the whole toxo phobia... There are other things I need to work on as well that scare me, but like I said before, the cat problem is the worst for me. My next appt is next week and I plan to discuss it again with my doctor. I was on Celexa before I found out I was pregnant and she said that medication works great if I'd like to go back on it... I think part of why my OCD has really gotten bad is that this pregnancy is really a miracle - I was told I probably couldn't have kids over 2 years ago and my husband and I had gone through fertility treatments. Now that we have this surprise little one on the way I am so paranoid of staying away from anything potentially harmful! This could be our only baby and I want to keep him safe and healthy.

[nickizzy]

I have bipolar and panic disorder as well as a few other disorders, my psych and doc worked out what was best in terms of risk to baby versus risk to myself and I'm on seroquel and have been given a low dose of valium 2 mg, ideally they said it would be best to have none and before pregnancy I was on 20 mg but they said any stress I go through can be just as harmful to bubs. I've been on the meds all the way through my pregnancy and I'm almost 17 weeks and so far bubs is good. Besides benzos there are very low risk anti depressants with anti anxiety properties in them I'd advise to speak to your doc explain it all and they can work out what is best for your health as well as bubs :) it's scary worrying everything will hurt bubs but you also have to look at it as a happy mum is a happy bub. Good luck hunni hope you find a healthy and happy relief for you and bubs x

[nonishy]

There are medications like that that are safe for pregnant women and safe for breastfeeding.  I was on medication with my first pregnancy and also while i was breastfeeding.  
You are probably getting worse because one, you needs meds to control your OCD and anxiety,  and Secondly you are probably going through the nesting faze of pregnancy where you clean and clean because you are getting readyfor the babies arrival .  
Toxoplasmosis is not just from cats, it's from animal feces. So if you have animals in your house you don't want to walk around barefoot...Alsoddon't walk around barefoot outside due to stray animals.  Don't clean a cat box or pick up the dog poop outside, if you do don't inhale while cleaning a cat box. And use gloves. But since the cat is gone,  just go to the store and get a shampooer and clean your carpets and vacuum.  And this is if the cat has had accidents on the carpet.  Or you think feces were tracked into your house by someone's shoes.

[alid32]

Definitely talk with your doc about your options. There's a lot that they can do and give that's safe for you and baby.

[ShalaneMarie]

I'm on meds for mental illness. I did try to go off but was having episodes. The anxiety and mania is worse for baby. Plus there are so many safe medications u can take while pregnant. Just talk with a Dr.  Or maybe try and see a phsycologist or councillor for some talk therapy. Wishing u my best doll I understand what a struggle germaphobia and ocd can be.

[katie_1989]

I think the most important thing is to discuss all your options with your dr.. ) all of them -- family, OB,  psychiatrist and counselor.. if you dont feel comfortable taking medication while pregnant they will help you still. I stopped taking my meds for depression and social anxiety a month before becoming pregnant but i still see my counselor and it helps a lot. Good luck in whatever you choose!  Remember there are a million options!

[rosealie23]

I take a medication for anxiety.... my anxiety gets worse with pregnancy and feel like everything is harmful.

[Daniellerene]

I'm OCD, manic depressant, anxiety, and I can be a hypercondriac when it comes to things I've been off my meds for almost 4 yrs and even though it took me a while to fight threw it but I did it :) BUT... If your doctor can give you something safe I'd take it .. The stress of worrying can cause more harm than anything ... and then you can start tricking your body on things to make your body seem like you have something but don't ... I'd talk to your doctor more about things

[GxoK]

If u would b prescribed benzos, then that could b a problem. Benzos r known to cause birth defects. I have really bad anxiety too but I'm just gonna deal with it bc the relief isn't worth damaging my baby. C if there's anything  natural out there that's still safe.