Anyone taken anti-depressants during pg?

[Louise2013]

Sorry for short blunt post ladies; has anyone taken/started taking anti-depressants during pg?

I had mild PND after the birth of LO which I felt I nipped in the bud without medication but I have the odd down day here and there. However, I am now having my second 'down day' in the last five days and I'm scared it's coming back as pre-natal depression and even more terrified it will be back with a vengeance once baby arrives. I just can't stop crying at the moment. I am willing to try anything to help but am scared of risks to the baby and wondering what my options are.

I am 24 weeks pg and have a 12-month old and will go and see my GP (am also concerned I am becoming anaemic again as I am avoid of any energy) but I just wanted to ask. I have booked myself in for a course of counselling for the next ten weeks with a PND counsellor but I don't know what else to do. I have been lectured today by my Mum on how I need to just 'stop trying to be a perfect Mum' and I feel so so sh*t.

Anyone got any shared experiences?

Thanks xx

 

[Lucyboo]

My SIL did from around 12 weeks for most of her pregnancy with her first. I can't advise much as I only know bits about what she went through but coming on here is a huge step for you. It's defo worth talking to your GP and seeing the councillor is a huge step. Good luck x

 

[cers123]

I have suffered with depression for as long as i can remember ive been in an out of counselling. After my lo in 2013 i didnt realise i had pnd and just finished counselling at the start of this pregnancy. And came off my anti depressants.

Your hormones in pregnancy r crazy and a few times throughout this pregnancy ive felt like i needed to either go back on medication or talk d someone and uno what thats ok perfectly normal. As long as you are looking out for your own mental wellbeing and ur little babies you will know whats best for u!.

Also can massively relate to trying to bw the best mum. I do this also and i hate asking for help but uno what huni u probably have so so many people around u who u can ask for help or talk about things with. .. remember ur not juat a mummy ur still a girl/lady/woman and u should treat urself now and agaij to some u time.

P.s not trying to preach to u cos u dnt need me to do that im juat telling u all the things i had d do for myself lol xx

 

[CharlotteH24]

I'm meant to be taking antidepressants/anti-anxiety medication for depression, anxiety, PTSD and a possible personality trait disorder however I can't bring myself to take it as my anxiety brings out paranoia and knowing that there's even a tiny chance of it effecting baby negatively. I'm supposed to be on citalopram, I've been on and off it for 7 years or so now and usually on 40mgs (2 pills a day) but I'm currently on 20 and not allowed to take any once i reach 35 weeks.
Setraline is meant to be the safest but there's very limited evidence either way, it's just not ethical to test drugs on pregnant women so information is really limited. My perinatal psychiatrist said there's a 1 in 1000 chance that my citalopram could cause a heart defect resulting in surgery, particularly if taken after 21 weeks - hence why I'm too terrified to take it. I'm on a 3 month waiting list for CBT, by which point my baby will be here and i'll find it even harder getting to and from appointments, sometimes the NHS seems so useless when it comes to mental health treatments :/