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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by noa on November 3, 2000, at 14:26:31
Posted by SLS on November 3, 2000, at 20:35:01
In reply to Research:birth outcomes of Prozac exposure, posted by noa on November 3, 2000, at 14:26:31
> http://www-east.elsevier.com/bps/abstracts/994906abs.htm
Prozac has been the best studied of the SSRIs regarding birth defects. Being around the longest, I guess that it has not displayed teratogenicity is significant. Prozac has demonstrated itself to be safe for pregnant women to take.
Some doctors counsel their patients to discontinue antidepressants during the first trimester if there is any concern of adverse effects on the fetus. Of course, the risk here is that, if lost, the antidepressant response may not be fully recaptured.
- Scott
Posted by Joelle on November 15, 2000, at 12:44:44
In reply to Re: Research:birth outcomes of Prozac exposure, posted by SLS on November 3, 2000, at 20:35:01
I was on Prozac when I became pregnant with my daughter. I was 6-10 weeks pregnant when my psychiatrist suggest I come off the Prozac. He also stated that remission often occurs when you are pregnant (the hormones you know).
I was worried about the effect the Prozac would have on the baby so I went to "Mother Risk" (they study the effect of drugs on pregnancy and the fetus) and they told me there was no risk I decided to stop Prozac anyway and was fine during the whole term of my pregnancy. Now, had I relapsed my doctor would have put me back on Prozac.
AFter delivery, however, I relapsed (double wammy - postpartum and my own depression on top) and it took me 6 months to recover completely!
In regards to my daughter, she is now 7 years old and was born absolutely normal. She is a bright, energetic and loving 7 year old girl.Joelle
> > http://www-east.elsevier.com/bps/abstracts/994906abs.htm
>
> Prozac has been the best studied of the SSRIs regarding birth defects. Being around the longest, I guess that it has not displayed teratogenicity is significant. Prozac has demonstrated itself to be safe for pregnant women to take.
>
> Some doctors counsel their patients to discontinue antidepressants during the first trimester if there is any concern of adverse effects on the fetus. Of course, the risk here is that, if lost, the antidepressant response may not be fully recaptured.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on November 21, 2000, at 22:04:08
In reply to Re: Research:birth outcomes of Prozac exposure, posted by Joelle on November 15, 2000, at 12:44:44
> I was on Prozac when I became pregnant with my daughter. I was 6-10 weeks pregnant when my psychiatrist suggest I come off the Prozac. He also stated that remission often occurs when you are pregnant (the hormones you know).
>
> I was worried about the effect the Prozac would have on the baby so I went to "Mother Risk" (they study the effect of drugs on pregnancy and the fetus) and they told me there was no risk I decided to stop Prozac anyway and was fine during the whole term of my pregnancy. Now, had I relapsed my doctor would have put me back on Prozac.
>
> AFter delivery, however, I relapsed (double wammy - postpartum and my own depression on top) and it took me 6 months to recover completely!
> In regards to my daughter, she is now 7 years old and was born absolutely normal. She is a bright, energetic and loving 7 year old girl.
>
> Joelle
:-)
Hi Joelle.It is not insignificant that you did not experience depression during pregnancy. Pregnancy itself seems to improve and protect against depression, even severe depression. For a few unfortunate treatment-resistant depressed women, pregnancy has been their only respite. Once the protective effects of pregnancy dissipate postpartum, the original depression may return. I would recommend to any woman whose case of depression indicates long-term treatment with antidepressants that they restart them as soon as possible after birth. Don't wait to relapse.
- Scott
Posted by Noa on November 22, 2000, at 12:03:31
In reply to Re: Research:birth outcomes of Prozac exposure, posted by SLS on November 21, 2000, at 22:04:08
> I would recommend to any woman whose case of depression indicates long-term treatment with antidepressants that they restart them as soon as possible after birth. Don't wait to relapse.
> - ScottAnd I would add---get your thyroid checked immediately after delivery and periodically after that. Postpartum hypothyroidism is fairly common and can often cause serious postpartum depression.
Posted by tenuous on November 29, 2000, at 5:52:07
In reply to Re: Research:birth outcomes of Prozac exposure, posted by Noa on November 22, 2000, at 12:03:31
My depression was NOT relieved during pregnancy and was worse after the births. There are two times when my depression increases: two weeks postpartum and then again when I stop breastfeeding around a year later. For me, the hormone shifts can make the depression worse but they are not the primary culprits.
When checking recently on the risk of continuing medication for an upcoming pregnancy I discovered that there is a risk factor for having depression even without medication. I couldn't find any actual numbers, just side references to its existence. My pet theory would be that when you're depressed you frequently don't eat well causing nutritional deficiencies and you could also be self-medicating. I can't imagine otherwise how depression itself could possibly affect pregnancy outcome, but this should be considered when weighing the risk of continuing medication.
Posted by Noa on November 29, 2000, at 11:38:50
In reply to Re: depression during pregnancy, posted by tenuous on November 29, 2000, at 5:52:07
I would think another way depression can cause potential harm to a fetus is if the depression is accompanied by increased levels of cortisol, which suppresses growth in general.
This is the end of the thread.
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