Anyone stay on a SSRI during pregnancy?

[kate1482]

I have been on 5mg of lexapro for the past 2 years for anxiety. It has made a huge difference and I'm a bit aprehensive to go off of it. My doctor said she has plenty of patients who stay on SSRI and have heathy babies. She said I could go off of it and try therapy and see how I feel and then go back on it if I need to. She also mentioned if I chose to stay on it she reccomends stoping during the third tri due to a small chance of breathing issues that can happen with the baby. I would love to hear everyone's experience. I'm trying to stay off google!

[oregonpachey]

Yes! I did with no issues at all. I took it throughout my entire pregnancy and am still on it with no issues to the baby (and I breastfeed).

[Wines Not Whines]

I was on lexapro throughout my entire pregnancy and the first year postpartum (and I EBFed). No problems whatsoever. My OB thought the risk of me going off of it was greater than me staying on it. 5 mg is a really low dose.

[pugz]

yup, me and zoloft are BFF. Risks are very very minimal, slight elevated risk of heart defects (so goes from 1% to 2% I believe). Safe for breastfeeding. I did not go off of it and I am on a very high dose. My PCP and OB both approved

[WhatYouSee]

I was Prozac for all but the last month of my first pregnancy and I plan to do the same this time too (I'm 7 weeks pregnant). My doctor recommended stopping for the last month because there have been some studies that show that babies can go through minor withdrawal after birth.

I highly recommend this book: www.amazon.com/Pregnant-Prozac-Essential-Making-Decision/dp/0762749407, whether you're on prozac or another SSRI. It definitely made me feel more confident about my decision.

[kate1482]

Thank you so much for your replies! I frogot my doctor did mention that there could be a two week withdrawal period for the baby after birth. She said it was something to be aware of but it is very minor. Thanks for the book rec! I will check it out.

[beachdweller]

I stayed on 10 mg of Lexapro throughout my pregnancy and BF. I did a ton of research and with that, plus the blessing of my OB and psychiatrist, I felt comfortable staying on it. You are on a very low dose, so I my (non-professional) guess would be that there would be a very low risk of any complications.

[kitty36]

Yup, stayed on Lexapro through my first pregnancy and had no issues. I plan to try to wean off in the next month or so before this one is born as advised by ob.

[beaver12]

May 18, 2012 11:09:32 GMT -5 oregonpachey said:

Yes! I did with no issues at all. I took it throughout my entire pregnancy and am still on it with no issues to the baby (and I breastfeed).

Same here. I'm on 50mg of Zoloft, was throughout my entire pregnancy, and have been BFing DS for 10 months. He's the happiest, healthiest little guy ever.

[Willis Jackson]

I've stayed on lexapro the whole time, except for a few weeks before she was born. No problems.

[bronxgirl]

I was on 20 mg of Prozac throughout pregnancy (my standard dose) and DD has been fine. I also work at a psych hospital and we had a grand rounds presentation about SSRIs and PG and the speaker presented several research studies indicating their safety.