Anti depressants during pregnancy

I have been taking anti depressants for six and a half years at varying dosages. I saw a doc during my last pregnancy who said these were safe to use in pregnancy as long as on a low dose, so while trying for this baby I dropped to the lowest dose possible to control the depression. I since moved to another area and chamged practice. When I asked for a repeat prescription last week they refused cos Iwas pregnant and said I had to see a doc. I went to see the doc who made me feel mega guilty for taking the tabs and told me that I was putting my baby at risk of congenital heart disease by carrying on with them. She also said my baby could have withdrawal symptoms after birth. She gave me the medication in the end but made me feel so bad about taking them. Am now feeling guilty about every tablet I need to take and considered stopping them cold turkey if it were best for the baby. But am not sure if I would be able to cope without them. The midwife didnt say anything about the tabs being bad when I was booked in and am so confused about the mixed messages about the tablets. Any help?

Quoting Melanie McGaffney:" I have been taking anti depressants for six and a half years at varying dosages. I saw a doc during ... [snip!] ... about the tabs being bad when I was booked in and am so confused about the mixed messages about the tablets. Any help?"

That sounds like a crappy OB. First of all, YES, there is a possibilty for defects if you take any medication. Secondly, there are antidepressents that each have different risks. Secondly, you have been on them for SIX YEARS!!! If you chose to get off them, then you need a Dr or Psych that is willing to put in the effort to actually discuss it with you instead of making you feel like crap. I would suggest finding a Dr who knows how to ween you off of them and giving it a shot.

Your doctor was ridiculous. No, it is definitely not better for baby to stop cold turkey. Yes, there are risks to antidepressants in pregnancy. Sure it's better not to need them. But there are risks to being depressed in pregnancy too! If you wanted to get off of them, you would need to wean quite slowly. I was depressed, on antidepressants for eight years. I got off of them prior to getting pregnant, with the help of a naturopath. All I take now is vitamins and omega 3 supplements. You could start taking lots of omega 3's, plus B vitamins and D, and see if that helps enough to decrease your dose further. But it's definitely healthier for your depression to be under control!

Thanks for the advice. We are seeing the midwife on tuesday todiscuss this, hopefully she can set my mind straight on whats best for me and the baby.

I have been on/off anti depressants for 15 years i was made to stop during with my first child then also with my second child. I was put on Mitazapine not long after the birth of my second child and have been allowed to stay on them at the middle dosage (30mg) through this pregnancy but they are keeping a big eye on me throughout this pregnancy x

its never good to just stop cold turkey =/ it'll do a lot of harm to you and your baby. talk to your doctor and see how you can gradually get yourself off of them. i don't think it was right for your new doc to make you feel like smurf for taking them when the previous one said it was okay to. every doc is different and they know that. try not to stress it too much and don't feel like smurf for taking them. just take it one step at a time and see if you can get off of them. i had to stop taking xanax and lexapro cause they are a big no-no i guess. its been rough dealing with anxiety but i've found other ways to cope with it in the mean time. good luck to you and hope you feel better soon.