Anti-depressents while pregnant, which one? Sorry, long...

BBTheriot

Sorry that this will probably be long, but I need advice.

I had untreaded post-partum depression with my first pregnancy. Over the last 3 years, I have had some serious anxiety, which has just recently been diagnosed. I see a psychiatrist, as well as a therapist.

After I had DD, I didn't sleep, eat, shower, etc... I was just a mess of crazy hormones and I sat around all the time watching DD to make sure she was breathing.

Back in February my sister had a baby. The night they came home from the hospital I cried myself to sleep, wondering how I was going to do this again. I remember the sleepless nights, constant exhaustion, etc... DH told me that I really needed to see someone, which I already knew. I had seen a therapist back in early 2008, but we never clicked so I stopped going. I fought going to a psychiatrist because I didn't want to be medicated. But I realized that I probably needed to be.

Soooo, about 2 months ago i started seeing the psychiatrist who concluded that I had a serious case of PPD with DD and now have some depression during pregnancy and lots of anxiety. She has been working with my OB to keep a close eye on me. When I saw her 3 weeks ago, we had all agreed that I was ok right now and could wait to be treated.

Yesterday my sister's baby was fussy at daycare and she took her to the doctor because she wasn't acting like herself. They did a full exam and even took x-rays of her belly to make sure something wasn't going on. They concluded she was fine, and just having a bad day. I spent ALL NIGHT waiting for the phone to ring and my sister to tell me she died in her sleep. I cried for hours...didn't sleep. I realize that I have a pretty big problem and I need to be treated.

Luckily I go to see my psychiatrist today, so I'm ready to talk about medication. The question is...which one? I've looked on the internet a little, and I hear such bad things about some of them. I know there are possible side effects to all of them, but I really don't want to harm my baby.

Thank you if you got this far, I know I'm chatty! But any advice anyone has to offer would be greatly appreciated. I need to do my best to get this under control before the baby gets here.

TIA.

cristyu

Prozac is the safest.  Don't take Wellbutrin, though.  I was on that before pregnancy and they say it's not safe.  Good luck!

hrhmary

I've been on Lexapro for years for anxiety.  My doctors agreed that it was safe to continue during pregnancy and BFing.  DS had no problems related to it. 

Prozac is generally considered to be the safest b/c it has been around the longest, so there is the most data on it.

Good luck!