anxiety meds during pregnancy

Re: anxiety meds during pregnancy

• JessicaC0203 member

  February 2016

  ***This is not substitute for your doctor's advice. Always speak with them about these sort of things as they are important and should have been discussed before you continued taking them.***
  I have no experience taking these meds personally but know a lot about them. Although, this is only my opinion, 1) Lorazepam is actually better for your baby but you should stick with one and not switch back and forth. Lorazepam is not metabolized by the liver and does not cross the placenta as well because it does not have as many metabolites. 2) Taking them on a scheduled basis every day is better than taking as needed so you and your baby's blood level is not fluctuating as much. 3) There is conflicting evidence in the literature regarding Benzos causing cleft lip/palette when taken in the 1st trimester (around end of 13 weeks) but is very, very small if it is there. 4) As far as postpartum goes, you should not take more than 1 mg equivalent of clonazepam daily as this increases risk of "floppy baby syndrome" and baby being more tired than usual when born. This risk is increased if you smoke or take any other sedating medications. 5) there is no contraindication for breastfeeding and I have many women breastfeeding on these medications. You just have to monitor for sedation and make sure that you take as little as you can get away with. So definitely have a more thorough convo with the pediatrician if this is something you would still like to do. 
  
  If you would like any reliable resources for this information, let me know and I will get them to you. P.S. Again, this is not substitute for your own MD's recommendations but you should definitely be informed. 

  BFP #1  6/26/15, D&C 8/14/15
  BFP #2  12/22/15, EDD 9/1/16  

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• homebird member

  February 2016

  I take long-term anxiety meds (lexapro). I did have klonopin for "emergency" use but I haven't used it during pregnancy. As pp said there is conflicting evidence about taking benzos during pregnancy. I am not your doctor, so I'm not giving you official medical advice. But I did take two klonopin early in the pregnancy because I wasn't able to function due to anxiety attacks. When my hormones surge (periods, pregnancy, etc) that's when I have the most trouble with anxiety.
  
  Of course I worry about it, but at the same time - I also need to be healthy. There are numerous studies that show that extreme levels of stress in the mother lead to low birth wait, premature labor, etc. 
  
  You and your doctor have to decide if the risks outweigh the benefits or vice-versa. If you end up taking them, try not to worry about it (I know, easier said than done). But YOU have to worry about YOU too. Hang in there! I do a "Mental Illness + Pregnancy check-in" once in a while and there are several mamas on this board struggling with the same things. You're not alone!

  
  Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)

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• TheresaNeff member

  February 2016

  Thank you ladies!! This makes me feel better. I do haveto take 1mg of clonazpam a day. I was to take 3 as needed a day but I only need to take one. If i take it in the morning when I get up Iam fine the rest of the day. If I dont take it well lets just say not good. I will talk to the doc. Abot this all. Thanks again ladies. It is one more stress relif i can not stress about. And yea i would love some links and info on it if you woud.

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• CoffeeBeanFiend91 member

  February 2016

  No advice but wishing you well. I was on lorazapam pre pregnancy and have had to quit cold turkey. Luckily so far so good but I'm worried about what I will do should I seize as that's what I was taking it for. Luckily it was as needed and only when I could feel my symptoms coming on.

  

  

  

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• Ah825 member

  February 2016

  Personal experience- I take 10 mg of celexa daily. I used to take 40 so I've tapered to the absolute lowest possible for myself while pregnant. I tried to go off it completely and wanted to kill myself. No, I'm not crazy. Really! My brain just has an imbalance. Maybe only woman who suffer major depression understand.  I know there are risks- but I rather have my baby and I alive and take the medication. My doctor is happy I've tapered down and approves me staying on it.  Prayers for you! 

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