I have to make a choice...

[Zee]

yeah true it is a anxious time around birth so maybe thats why it wasnt out to me today to cut it down closer to birth.

I never thought about the BFing helping as some of it will be in the milk so withdrawls wont be as bad, thankyou im feeling more confident to go with the increase.

I guess im just feeling so overwhelmed and the though of having him taken into special care instead of being with me the whole time upset me...really it could be worse.

[Matryoshka]

Lindsay, my experience was very similar to yours. This time i made the choice to stay on Lexapro 10mg which i'd been on since DS was 8 months old. In the past couple of months i have not been coping and only when it reached the point where i have been constantly anxious, not able to sleep and i knew it was affecting both DS and possibly DS in the womb, did i decide to go up a dose. I'm now on 20mg and feeling better.

I truly believe that the stress responses your body creates due to low mood/stress fluctuations (anxiety/depression) do have an effect on the baby in the womb. Its almost impossible to measure what this would be though, but just by knowing my DS and the fact i did not take medication and suffered anxiety through my last pregancy, i really felt it was better to be on it this time and especially at a level where it was working. Recently the 10mg felt like it was not working- the DR said this can be due to increased fluid levels diluting the medicaion and/or weight gains.

As for Zoloft vs Lexapro..... i read a substantial amount of research material/studies on both zoloft and lexapro during pregnancy and breastfeeding and decided lexapro was the one with the least instance of issue for the baby. Apparently the withdrawals are minute and can be combatted by breast feeding as baby still receives some small amount, so of course i'll be breastfeeding. I've also spoken the psychology department of my hospital and they assure me the baby will be fine after the birth and no need for any special check up let alone special care! in fact i go home after just 24 hours, and could do sooner if i wanted.

SO, i don't know if switching medications is an option?? Apart from that i would go up a dose, its important that you feel better now and are able to manage as theres still a good 3 months + left. I can't speak from your hospital but their opinions sound a bit extreme... especially as others have been on it and not had this occur. Can you do some more research or get a second opinion??? Certainly separation from the baby would do more harm that good, and i wouldn't condone that at all, surely that can't be the only options????

Anyway based on myself, i would go up a dose or switch to lexapro if that is an option. If not, then just try to get another opinion or do some more research in to it....

Hope that helps Linds, thinking of you

[lottie]

I was put on Zoloft the same dose with my daughter about six weeks before she was born and at 6weeks of pregnancy with my son. He was born at 31 weeks other complications nothing to do with the meds and was in the special care unit for a few days and then in and out for 2 weeks with me in hospital as well. I checked with DH and he doesn't remember anyone talking about withdrawal from meds or anythings involving my medication.

Remember special care doesn't mean that you cannot feed or be with him it just means extra monitoring and care.

All the best Lottie

[judkorn17]

Hi Lindsay,

In the end you will do what is right for you and your family. As a clinical psychologist im inclined to say to go for option 3 which is to remain on a low dose med and opt to see a clinical psych in your area for therapy- preferrable one who practices mindfulness/CBT as well as one who has experience managing pregnancy and mental illness. Talking to a trained professional will help you manage emotional issues at this very anxiety provoking time. The answer isnt always about uping/lowering meds, but I certainly understand this is something you have been battling with for a very long time so you dont want to make too many drastic changes esp now... Hope this helps!

I wish you well!

Jud

[Zee]

Thankyou ladies,

Im sure we have made our decision but we will still talk it over again and see what happens on Monday.

B-

Certainly separation from the baby would do more harm that good

DD had seperation anxiety when she was born so I was concerned about this bub having it aswell let alone not having him with me at all times. We are thinking option 2 is best for u (Me & bubs) but I really dont want him to go into special care unless he really has to so im going to talk that over with the hospital at my appoinment as we are thinking thats abit extreme aswell. I was planning on spending a few extra days in hospital this time round anyway to help with my BF etc so it really couldnt hurt him to be with me.

Jud- Thankyou, I have been talking with someone and will continue to talk with someone.

[jessicakate]

Hey Linds, I think it sounds like you are approaching this in a very sensible and smart way. Good on you for looking at all your options, and working with your hospital and dr's to get the best outcome for you and your family. Hugs, and I hope you feel a lot better for the rest of your pg.

[Matryoshka]

I believe my DS had some separation anxiety too and he was only taken away for a few minutes (oxygen) and i also believe that it can lead to/contribute to PND for the mum too as a biological response to grieve the loss of the baby's physical presence kicks in if it is not there. I really hope the hospital can work with you on a compromise about the special care unit and the separation.

Anyway i'm glad you've made a decision and i hope you start feeling better really soon