new member-clinical depression & effects on pregnancy questions ?
Q.After searching the web for information and not having success, I'm hoping someone here can point me in the right direction. Here's my situation, and I've tried to abbreviate it, so please bear with me. I was diagnosed with clinical depression in 1992 at age 22, after dropping out of college due to problems associated with my depressive state. My family practice doctor put me on Prozac and I began counseling. Looking back, I believe I began to experience depressive times during my high school years. I stopped Prozac after a period of time, got engaged, then went back on it to help me deal with my emotions and planning a huge wedding, and all the life changes I was experiencing, all under the advice of my doc.
A.What I got was great variance in particular drugs, e.g. with lithium, you are not safe using it after the first trimester, and to the other extreme, most drugs having side effects, should be obliterated during pregnancy OR lowered in dose. So, it really depends on the drug you are taking; This is something that an obstetrician would know with greater certainty and I would suggsest that you follow the advice of your doctor treating you, even if you get information on the net. The psychological aspects of your situation, may be a result of your own depression or anxiety about how things will turn out. Perhaps, you could join a support group on the NET for expectant mothers and especially those taking medication. I find support groups help immensely with matters that can be shared on the NET, and less troublesome to get to than psychologists or therapists; but that is just my preference. I'm sorry my advice is so general, but I don't want to tell you things I don't know about. I hope more people have practical suggestions here soon. In the meantime, try listening to soft music and drinking mint tea, and maybe buying a good book on pregnancy and delivery - that too you could search on the net under CHAPTERS. I tried Prozac, but it was awful for me, so I wouldn't use it. I liked Wellbutrin but after a while found that it got me a little too jazzed. Serzone helped most with the anxiety part of depression. Using both of them, at half a usual dose each, worked well for me. I don't know anything about how they would effect your baby. I dont personally know of any relevant sites. I can relate with you totally, though. I was on prozac while pregnant with my last child. I wish I would have stayed on the whole time, but I felt guilty about what it might be doing to him. After giving birth (supposed to be a wonderful time in ones life (ha)) I experienced the worst depression ever, I could not go out in public because I would cry all the time. I went back to work three weeks after birth and was sent home all the time due to crying spells. Make sure you have someone who can help with the baby, maybe your hubby will take some time off after birth. This is extremely important. With my second child, I was very uneducated about depression. It great that you expect it and know what you are dealing with. In most pregnancy books there are chapters on postpartum depression. Maybe your husband should read this with you, and talk about it. He needs to understand what you are and will be going through
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