depression and pregnancy...? help

I'm sure this subject has been addressed in your forum before, but I couldn't find a thread when I searched. If anyone has a thread already about this that they could post, I would be most thankfull...

What anti-depressants, if any, can you take while you're pregnant?

I'm not pregnant yet, but I really want to start a family soon. Trouble is, I'm finally at a point with my crohns disease where I think I may need to talk to a professional about getting on some anti-depressant or anti-anxiety meds. I'm just so tired of being scared of what my body is going to do all the time... I think I'm physically healthy enough, but I don't know if I'm mentally healthy enough! Being pregnant would make me even more scared... despite how badly I want to start a family.

I've had crohns disease for years, but I've never seen a counselor, or been treated for the anxiety and depression it causes in my life. I'm wondering if maybe I can make it another nine months or so, so as not to interfere with any potential baby's health...

I'd appreciate any thoughts or opinions on the subject...

Thanks for the link...
And you're right... I should just get it over with and talk to my doc about it. No cheating on this one!

Hi Annie,

I would like to welcome you to the HW depression forum.

Thanks for the information.

I think that you will find that this is a wonderful group of people and will be very comfortable here.

Hugs, Karen

Patient!
I have some great news for you. My daughter has had symptoms Crohnes since she was about 5 yrs old, had her first fistula at age 17 and has been struggling for years with this DD. When she got pregnant her Crohnes went into total remission. Her gyno had put her on special elevated levels of prenatal vitamins because he was concerned about her absorption issues with the messed up gut. He's thinking that the prenatals might have something to do with the remission so she has stayed with them even after stopping nursing.

She is still in remission! Might work for you.

Also, she had been on antidepressants and the doctor took her off to prevent any harm to the baby. She had her low days (hormones) and her great days and a very understanding husband helped her make it thru. Hope this helps.

Many drugs can be given as injections, especially older ones. Most studies find them just as or more effective then the medications developed since the 80's. That may help with medication and CHron's. Older meds have also been better studied in pregnat women because ethical concerns in institutions was lax in earlier years.

I had two drug free pregnancies. My first was early in the course of my illness (not Chrons) he is 16. My second went worse. I had the police have to help control the situation a few times, but I stayed med free. I did use ECt once it got too bad and continued after the birth so I could breastfeed. I did ECT on Both hemispheres for a long cousre and went into partial remission for about 3 months after stopping. In the end it was worth it. My doctor advised that if I were to become pregant (accidently,I guess my husband got I vasectomy) to stop everything for the first trimester and then the drugs I am taking - most are okay in later stages. The fisrt three months are critical.

quietpain