Can you breast feed while on prozac after the baby is born? 26 weeks now.?

Question

I am 26 weeks and I went to see the dr this morning. I have had a rough pregnancy so far. I have a fibroid that is about as big as my baby and I look like I have twins although one is my child and the other is a Tumor. The tumor sits on my nerve causing scyatiica. (Sharp pains to the bottom of my feet and burning) Before it was every now and then. The last two weeks it has been constant. I now struggle to get around to do anything. Even the bathroom is a task. I have reached my end and am sad because I have a hard time taking care of my family. The Dr and us have decided that we will take the baby out as soon as we know that we can. Our child is very heathly but the stress that I am under concerns the Dr a great deal. I find myself crying in the shower to hide the saddness. My husband allows me to cry in his arms and he is very supportive and worried as well. They put me on prozac today will it help? Has anyone else taken this while pregnant and it help? Im scared, sad, but faithful

Answer 1

Prozac is the only drug "cleared by the FDA" for use during pregnancy. A mother on Prozac during pregnancy may wish to change drugs before birth or immediately after, or titrate the dose down in the last trimester since the existing blood plasma level in the newborn fetus plus the drug transfer through milk may lead to toxicity. Its effects on the breastfed infant have been reported in infants 2 months old or less.

You may want to consider Zoloft post-partum.

Zoloft is the "best drug choice so far". It has a low, low transfer rate to breastmilk (17-173 ug/liter) in mothers taking up to 150 mg/day. In one excellent study of 11 mother/infant pairs, the zoloft was undetectable in 7 of the 11 breastfeeding infants' serum and minimal in the other infants. In two other studies of one and three mother/infant pairs respectively, zoloft was undetectable in the plasma of all 4 infants. A theoretical concern with Zoloft is that some babies may not gain weight as rapidly or as well when breastfed by moms on Zoloft; so weight gain should be monitored and dosage tweaked as necessary.

Answer 2

I agree with the 1st answer - but also would encourage you to get a second opinion.

You're almost done!:) Hang in there, once the baby is here they will be able to do so much more I'm sure.

My advice is CRY when you need to (it sounds like you are, good for you!) and take care of yourself, stay off your feet and let your family care for you for awhile - pregnancy is hard enough! But to deal with this on top of everything else... I'd try to enlist help and stop worrying about taking care of anyone but you and that baby! Your husband and family should be able to pick up the slack for the short time that this is going to be a huge problem... hire someone if you have to - if you go to a church let them know you guys need some help right now - people can amaze you sometimes:) My guess is if you ask for it - you'll be touched and pleasantly surprised by the help friends and family can give.
Try to be specific, let people know (just an example) "because of this temp condition I'm having a hard time standing at all - it's extremely painful so causes me to be emotional, raises my blood pressure, and just diminishes my overall outlook on life (whatever, I don't know for sure??) right now it's a big task for me JUST TO USE the restroom - so of course cooking (launrdy, caring for another child, whatever it is) is almost impossible, if you could help us out for a short period - My concern has to be keeping myself OK for this baby, it's counting on me:) we would really appreciate anything you might have time to do - like preparing a cassarole or 2 that my husband can just warm up - that would be so great!"
I have a real hard time asking for help - so I tend to assume others do as well:)
Just be sure you ask for what you need - and if your heart or instinct has you worried about taking a medication THEN ASK AND ASK until YOU are totally satisfied... you can see other Drs. - Call pharmacies, midwifes, healthy mother and infant programs - read about the medication yourself in an online PDR... I don't know if it's safe I'm sorry, but that's a few more ideas of people to ask:) hope it's a little help, and good luck & congrat's - enjoy that baby!!! :)

Answer 3

You're considered full term at 37 weeks, so most of the time, your baby will be able to go home with you. Even if you went into labor at 36 weeks, it is highly likely your baby will still go home with you. However, if there are certain complications, your baby may be held at the hospital, in which case you may or may not be able to breast feed. If you cannot, you could always pump your milk and bottle feed until your baby can go home with you (unless a feeding tube is needed). It just depends on the circumstances. I think you and your baby will be fine since you aren't far off from being full-term. Good luck!

Answer 4

A good friend of mine was on Zoloft, which is like Prozac, and she took it through 3 pregnancies and breastfeeding. There are some happy horemones that come from breasfeeding, too.

Answer 5

Ususally a drug that is safe while preganant is safe while nursing. Dr. Hale is the authority on meds while nursing.

Discuss your concerns with the prescribing doctor. be adament that you will be breastfeeding! There are safe drugs for depression that are compatible with nursing.

Answer 6

My husbands cousin was put on for post podium depression & she nursed her baby, if you are a bit nervious call your pharmacy that is what they are there for!