Anti-anxety Medicine During Pregnancy

I was taking Zoloft when I conceived and while pregnant with baby #3. My doctor said that the meds where safe during pregnancy, but there was a risk of pre-term delivery and breathing problems for the baby if I continued to take the zoloft. I opted to stop because I had heard and researched that it really wasn't helping me and could be hurting me. I had to be induced to give birth - so no preemie - and her breathing was/is fine. BUT - I had stopped taking the medication completely by the 6th month of my pregnancy.
If you want to stop taking the medication, the key is to gradually wean yourself off, DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY. The effects of stopping that way could be worse than the symptoms you started taking the meds for. Which could be what you are experiencing now. I literally shaved a little bit off of my pill each week. It took me 6 months, but I am off of them for good.
Good luck ~
L.

You know, I made the decision to go on Celexa 20 mg. 12 weeeks into my 2nd pregnancy b/c my depression had become quite severe & it was direly affecting my marriage & relationship with my oldest(TO THIS DAY, I can't remember consenting to have sex in order to get pregnant w/ #2! LOL!!). I have a very strong family history of depression, and spent 2 years trying to work through it med-free to no avail. I nursed while taking Celexa, too, and continue to take it even now. Several events in the past 5 years hammered it home to my brain, this was not a "passing blue phase." I need the help of meds to keep myself (and everyone around me) sane.

Everyone has to make their own decision here, but for me it was a healthier choice for all involved & baby turned out just fine. Do your research, talk to your OB & pedi, learn the risks. Some meds have been researched & their effects & affects documented more than others. There are some meds (think: Tholidomide) that are completely off limits during pregnancy & nursing, & others that are labeled a moderate risk, others w/ a fairly low risk- In the end you have to decide if the benefits out weight the risks. For me, I felt very comfortable with my research & the recommendation of my OB. My pregnancy went much smoother than my 1st, my marriage & family relationships were stronger.... more than anything, I felt like "my oldself" again- BEFORE the depression hit me.

This is not an easy choice. I wish you well.

D.

my doctors told me that zoloft is believed to be safe to take during pregnancy. at this point in time there are enough healthy children who were in utero while their moms took the medication. and i agree with you - if you are happy and feeling better, everything else will be better. good luck!

I caught a segment on NPR's (national public radio) Infinite Mind program regarding women and mental health. There was a part specifically dedicated to whether it was safe to take these kinds of medications during pregnancy. They went over ones that were not considered safe (like Depakote) and ones that were (like Prozac).

You would probably get a lot out of listening to the program. You can download the audio program or the transcript here for $8: http://www.lcmedia.com/mind517.htm