Fluoxetine in pregnancy...

[nicola1712]

I have posted this in my diary and an antenatal depression thread on here but hoping other people might see it in here too.

I am 20 weeks pregnant with number 2 and been slowly falling apart during this pregnancy. Been to see doc and she rang back today and they want to put me on Fluoxetine 20mg a day. I have taken that before and struggled to come off it with bad withdrawal symptoms but she said it is the safest one to take in pregnancy.

I have STUPIDLY been on internet and looked up problems for baby associated with taking it, but doc said they will just monitor him/her for up to 72 hours for withdrawal symptoms when it is born. Just worries me that I have just read that sometimes they get breathing difficulties or are premature. Am hoping that being on such a low dosage will mean it isn't too bad.

Anyone got any experience of this to help me with?!

She also said it is not advisable to breastfeed while on it and they will change me over to a different one if I want to breastfeed. To be honest I only lasted three weeks with LO so I may decide not to do it with this one, esp given me being depressed and having LO to deal with too.

Am now worrying about being in hospital (will they keep me in too, or just baby?) for a few days - yes I know that could happen naturally anyway with a c section or whatever...and it is a lovely hospital that I will be in....but I am worried about LO thinking I have gone away, or DH coping with her on his own for a few days (!) Again though my mum was in a week with my brother and I don't remember it so perhaps I am just stressing....

[gizmoracer]

Hi Nicola

No personal experience I'm afraid as I was taken off it when I fell pregnant but that was a good 6 yrs ago now and doc didn't even discuss it with me. I did talk to my new doc recently about taking anti-ds whilst pregnant as we were thinking of having another and I was worried I might need them. He was quite happy to put me back on whist pregnant and said there would be no problem with that.

20mg is a small dose and so will probablly not cause too much trouble if any (my personal opinion). You could always have a chat with doc and explain your concerns.

Re. brestfeeding. I only lasted 3 weeks with my first and not much longer with my second so if you are happy not to bother then don't worry about it. It will do baby more harm to try and feed him/her if you are anxious than it will to put them straight on a bottle.

Re. having to stay in hosp. Like you said it could happen anyway so don't let this worry you. LO is unlikly to remember. It's just a case of mummy's a bit poorly and being looked after in hosp. so she can get more rest. I always have this illusion that my OH won't cope if I'm not around but in reality they always make it look so easy. and cope fine.

[nicola1712]

Thanks giz - had a chat with DH just now bout it and he was well keen to have sole control of LO for a couple of days! We just need to work out some sort of way he can still see me and baby, and grandparents have LO (as well as seeing baby). Guess everyone has this problem, but I will be happier once we have something in place (the control freak in me!) He said he understands and we will sort it nearer the time which makes sense I suppose.

Reassuring though that you also think the smaller dosage will help matters - am making it a goal of mine, not to need them to up the dosage......

[chica]

Hi Nicola,

If it is any help, I can tell you about my friend, who gave birth safely to a little boy on the 19th May, she took a low dose of fluoxetine throughout her pregnancy, she was on it before she conceived. As I say little man arrived safe and sound on the 19th May weighing a healthy 7lb, she went full term, and baby has had no complications. She did have to stay in hospital for a couple of days, but this was not due to baby, but she had a problem with tearing and bleeding (sorry too much information). She is also now currently breast feeding, and still on fluoxetine, and this has been given the blessing of the peadeatrician. I know I live out in Spain, so maybe they have different views/opinions over here, but from what I can see, little man is very healthy, is very contented, and mum is happy too.

Hope this helps you a little.

Love
Chica

[nicola1712]

Thanks Chica - very reassuring - doesn't matter that you are in Spain, cos still the same meds she is taking!

Nice to know other countries also feel it is safe to take in pregnancy as well too.

xx

[nicola1712]

Ok feel sick today! Yes I remember this happening last time and they did warn me but feels yuk. Feels like morning sickness again - am hoping will only last a week or so, best just eat to make it go away!!

xx

[gizmoracer]

Have you tried taking your tabs before bed? Thats what my doc suggested when I was feeling sick because of them.

[winegirl]

Yes, before bed and with quite a bit of water.. usually by the time you wake up you have past the nausea stage x

[nicola1712]

Thanks will try that - not been too bad though so can't complain!
xx

[kim]

Hi hun again no prossesional advice from me only personal experience i was taken of citalopram when i conceived and put back on it just over a week ago .
I did the dreaded google thing and found some awful details on citalopram .
my consultant also said to me that he doesn`t need to see me before birth and a paedtrician will see me after delivery and probably advise i stay on citalopram whilst breastfeeding .
Im also worried about if ill need to stay n hospital longer for drs etc to watch baby
I have a DD 7 and a ds 2 and i dread having to leave them iv never left my son before and i dont atm have anyone to have them
So just to say i do empathise im starting to feel less `out of it` and sick now so thats good x
thinking of you x

[nicola1712]

Thanks kim - sorry to hear you are having these probs too, but nice to know someone else has the same worries as me.

I saw my midwife today and she took one look at the pills and said - oh very common, lots of women are on these, and yes they will monitor baby after its born, but I will stay with it. Was reassuring that she thought it was quite normal.

Am still worried bout leaving LO (one of my main triggers of PND was leaving her with other people, even my DH) but am thinking of it as if I had a c section then I would be kept in anyway without choice.

How far gone are you Kim?

xxx

[Vikki]

I just posted something about this in my diary thread. I had a very long talk about this with my psych this week and I am going to take it through my pregnancy once I have passed the 12 week stage (I am about 7 weeks now). He said the risks are very low and any withdrawal is not major, just more sleepy and maybe some problems feeding although this usually passes within 48 hours. He didn't say anything about staying in hospital ( I will clarify this when I see him next) We decided that these minor risks were worth it if it meant I did not get ill again. I missed so much of my last baby's early life, I don't want that to happen again, and also for my other children, they suffered when I was ill and I want to be there for them.

If you have some concerns, speak to your GP, my psych went through all the studies and statistics with me and that reassured me so much.

Vikki x

[Weeble]

Hi, thought I would restart this thread as thinking about the same thing. Realistically I can not manage with the antidepressants and probably should be on a higher dose if I was not pregnant, can cope with the common side effects. But very worried about persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. So thought I would see what others think

Kat

[juppster]

Hi mate

I have had this discuss with the SHO and consultant also for if and when we decide to have another baby. It was deemed that Fluoxetine was the safest med to be on during pregnancy but we did not get as far as talking about the after effects as obviously I am not pregnant yet! sorry I can't be more help but i know this will be one of my major concerns if we decide to have another one. Hope you get the answers you're looking for xx