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Fish Oil
Hi there everyone =) I know that I should probably discuss this with my OB but I'm just curious on how many of you that are pregnant take fish oil supplements? I took them with my last pregnancy when I would remember and this pregnancy my OB hasn't suggested anything about it. So I was just wondering how many other pregnant women out there where told by there OB to start the supplements. Thanks in advance for your replies =)
Thank you thank you thank you sooo much I too am taking Zoloft only 25 mg and The words of incouragment are wonderful thank you it is especially comforting hearing this from an OB nurse who has experience with other pregnant women who have had to take medication, and especially comforting knowing you yourself are dealing with this issue. Today is only day number 2 and reading everything that you wrote I am certain I made the right decision. I'm 27 weeks and 4 days so I still have just a little ways to go so hopefully I will be feeling good by the time my little guy makes his entrance into the world :) Thanks again for all your words of encouragment and good luck with your pregnancy too!
I also wanted to mention that in the 2+ years I've been working as an RN at a hospital birth center, I have seen so many babies born to moms on antidepressants (among other meds) who do just fine. One of my coworkers was on Zoloft for the entire duration of both of her pregnancies and her kiddos are just fine. There are meds that are safer than others, I had been on Effexor previously, that is one that is not recommended during pregnancy. My psychiatrist told me that for anxiety issues, the safer ones to take are Zoloft and Prozac (some of the others that are considered safer, are too stimulating for anxiety, I had that problem with Prozac). It is important that we know a mom is on antidepressants (well really any meds) before delivery because these babies can take a little longer to take that first deep breath, but again, the vast majority do great! There are negative ramifications for children who's moms are depressed/anxious that outweigh the negative effects of meds during pregnancy. As the meds start to work, I'm sure you will feel better about your decision; that's what happened for me anyway. BTW, I take 75mg Zoloft, I started at 50mg, but it wasn't quite enough.
I am glad my words were helpful, I wasn't sure if I should say anything, but after my struggles with anxiety/depression I have learned I am my own best advocate and I'm not afraid to tell people that I live with it. If the med is an SSRI, it will take about 4-6 weeks to take full effect. Make sure to follow up with your doc in about a month or so to see how it's working for you. When I was contemplating going back on meds and back to therapy I was reading a book by Andrew Solomon called The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression. There are several quotes in this book that were very comforting/inspirational to me. I thought you might like this one:
"It is not weak to take medications; it does not mean that you can't cope with your personal life; it is courageous."
Now that I am back on meds (Zoloft), I do not want to go back to where I was. My child will be better off with a happy mom rather than a depressed/anxious/angry/sad.... mom. Hopefully, your meds will start working just in time for the arrival of your little one and you'll be able to enjoy every second with that new little bundle of joy. That is a joy that should not be diminished by anything! If you need any other support, feel free to contact me on here :)
"It is not weak to take medications; it does not mean that you can't cope with your personal life; it is courageous."
Now that I am back on meds (Zoloft), I do not want to go back to where I was. My child will be better off with a happy mom rather than a depressed/anxious/angry/sad.... mom. Hopefully, your meds will start working just in time for the arrival of your little one and you'll be able to enjoy every second with that new little bundle of joy. That is a joy that should not be diminished by anything! If you need any other support, feel free to contact me on here :)
Thank you so much for your response. Especially about the anxiety/depression issue :) it is comforting to talk to someone who has been through it. I had such an awful weekend and after much back and forth I decided that I need the medication that has already been prescribed to me. I was holding on to it for about 3 weeks just hopeing and praying that it would magically go away :) Since that didn't happen I started taking it last night and cried afterwards for fear that I had made the wrong decision. After reading an older post that I had posted in the anxiety forum I realized that I made the right choice. I do have a question that maybe you might be able to answer for me. Do you know how long it usually takes for an anxiety med to start working?
I take either Carlson brand Super Omega 3 Fish Oil or the Trader Joe's Fish Oil. Carlson's can usually be found at a health food store. Trader Joe's is a lot less expensive though.
I understand the sensitivity issue. Both of these brands are light on the stomach and the nose! HA!
I understand the sensitivity issue. Both of these brands are light on the stomach and the nose! HA!
What brand do you take that is odor/taste free? If I even get a whiff of the ones I have, I am gagging! Would like to keep taking them, but fear that if morning sickness gets worse, that's not going to happen ;)
I take fish oil too. They are mercury free fish oil capsules and have no odor/taste. I take them all of the time ...even when not pregnant. It's good for your heart, mood, brain, and bone density. Just read the back and make sure it says mercury free.
My midwife recommended fish oil capsules and as an OB nurse, I see lots of patients on them and lots who don't take them. If you can get past the awful smell/taste. I really wanted to comment on your anxiety meds as I suffer from anxiety/depression. I went off my meds when we started trying to get pregnant and it was the biggest mistake for me. I became so depressed this winter, it took me months to get back on track. And I didn't get pregnant until my mood was stabilized. There are meds that are safer than others. Also, your risk for postpartum depression is greater if you have an unstable anxiety problem. I would recommend discussing a plan with your doc about getting back on something at least during the postpartum period to decrease your risk for postpartum depression. Each person has to weigh the risks and benefits of taking/not taking antidepressants (which are often the same meds used to treat anxiety), but just wanted to comment since you said you've had some pretty bad days. Just a thought from someone with experience with anxiety/depression. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy :)
I will look into taking expecta does it give you fish burps? I took the ones that I have and for some reason it made me burp fish taste (nasty!)
I am also taking DHA Expecta Lipil. There are differend brands available at Whole Foods. Make sure it is Algie (plant) based, not fish based.
thanks ladies I am going to talk with my OB about fish oil for sure just wanted to see if doctors are still recommending it. and yes yiur right I have made it pretty far without any anxiety meds and I'm happy for that its just some days I feel like I cant do it anymore but I just need to keep thinking I dont have too much longer left. Well good luck to all you ladies with the rest of your pregnancies :)
I also don't use fish oil. I'm only on calcium supplements as well (lactose intolerant) and my normal prenatals.
Taking fish oil is great, except I would be careful during your pregnancy taking it. There is always a possibility of the oil having mercury in it (from fish) and that is why my OB told me to take one specific for pregnant women like expecta DHA, which is OTC. I can't think of any other brands, but that was the one recommended. I am sure any of the brands are fine if its not from fish.
Having anxiety issues during pregnancy must be quite difficult for you, I can't even imagine. It's great that you're trying to stay off drugs and you've made it this far!
I am taking the extra calcium because I do not eat that much dairy daily. When the baby's growing, it needs a lot of calcium for healthy bones and teeth. If I'm not taking enough calcium in my diet (according to my OB, that's 1000mg/day), the baby will draw it from my bones, which can lead to health issues later on, including deteriorating dental health and osteoporosis.
I am taking the extra calcium because I do not eat that much dairy daily. When the baby's growing, it needs a lot of calcium for healthy bones and teeth. If I'm not taking enough calcium in my diet (according to my OB, that's 1000mg/day), the baby will draw it from my bones, which can lead to health issues later on, including deteriorating dental health and osteoporosis.
Oh wow! why do they have you taking the extra calcium? I take a lot of pills too but I wish that they were all supplements and not actual medication lol!!! I also had high b/p at my first ob visit which I never had and they put me on aldomet and I also take something for my reflux and I am still thinking about taking something for my anxiety, but am trying my hardest to relax by doing acupuncture and message I have I think 13 more weeks left so we'll see if I could do it. I would much rather just be taking supplements =)
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