Depression Medication while pregnant?

Question

I was just recently put on Lexapro for my depression i've developed while i'm pregnant. ( i'm 30 weeks ) Is this safe for my baby?

Answer 1

Is it prefectly safe with 0 chances of something going wrong- no, very few medications are... However I'm sure this was a decision made by a health care professional and your self- so that tells me the benefits outway any possible risks ( which are few and far inbetween). I myself have been on Lexapro for 3 years and upon becoming pregnant- I'm now 34 weeks along, stopped taking it. I became very depressed and suicidal, so of course in my situaion too I choose the Lexapro, becaus eif I'm not alive, my baby's not... However , if your wanting to breats feed you may want to research Zoloft, Paxil, or Prozac because these 3 meds are excreted in much lower amounts in the breast milks than other SSRI's (a.k.a. antidepressants % anti anxiety mads).
I wish you lots of luck with your pregnancy and with your recovery from depression, please make sure to watch yourself closely in the months following birth for signs of post partum depression- and don't worry the better you feel, even with the help of meds, the better you can take care of yourself and your child!

Answer 2

First, I'd make sure your OB and your psychiatrist (or whatever doctor is prescribing the medication) are aware of your pregnancy and depression so they can be on the same page. As another poster stated, Zoloft is often prescribed because it has the most data available for pregnancy. Most doctors avoid prescribing medication until at least the second, if not third trimester of pregnancy, because of all of the neural development in the first trimester. At 30 weeks, you are in the safest time to take an anti-depressant. As with any medication taken during pregnancy, the pro's must be weighed against the cons. Some babies (though not a lot) experience some withdrawal from the medication after birth. Mine did not. However, if the depression is causing you mental stress or physical pain, and your doctors agree that the benefits outweigh the risks, then you should trust them to know what's in your best interest. Get a second opinion if you're concerned, but it is not uncommon for women to go on anti-depressants in the third trimester if they are depressed or if they have a history of post-partum depression that the doctors are trying to avoid for her. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Most doctors will prescribe Zoloft or Prozac during pregnancy because they have been studies the most on pregnant women.

Lexapro hasn't been studied in pregnancy that much and is usually only prescribed when the potential benefit to the mom outweighs the potential risks to the baby. It is known that depression can have an impact on pregnancy.

*I* would discuss it carefully with my doc before taking it.

Answer 4

I was on Wellbutrin XL for depression and Zoloft for anxiety while I was pregnant with my son(now 3) starting late in the 1st trimester. Later Zoloft was found to cause heart defects and is now considered unsafe for use while pregnant. Guess what! My son is doing just fine. He has an innocent heart murmur but they run in my family(I had one, my father had one and so on.). There is no way to prove that the Zoloft caused the murmur due to the family history. There is no reason to be concerned by it either that is why it is called an innocent murmur.
I do not think that your doctor would risk the health of your child. If you are at risk of sever depression and having suicidal thoughts then the benefits out weigh the risks of the medication. Plus you are at higher risk of developing Post partum depression after the baby is born which can have serious results for you and your child. It is best to get your depression under control NOW rather then later when it may be too late to reverse the effects of the depression.

Answer 5

Check with the doctor who put you on Lexapro and if you aren't comfortable about it, get a second opinion. You are quite right to be concerned about the medication you take while you are pregnant.

Answer 6

Many doctors prescribe this antidepressant for pregnant woman but I have read that it shouldn't be taken in the last 3 months of pregnancy because in can cause complications in your baby. I also read that you shouldn't take it while breastfeeding so I would do some research and bring it up to your Doctor or even call your pharmacist.

Answer 7

The Dr. would not put you on it if it was not safe.

Answer 8

stop it