SSRIs safe in pregnancy??

gigimom · 04-20-2008, 07:51 PM

Hi everyone-
I just posted this on the general board but wanted to also post here because I am doing a DE IVF next month/June.

I haven't posted in awhile but I am back. Ready to move on from last summer's failed IVF #1. DH and I are moving on to DE IVF. I am really excited and hopeful. ED and I are on bcp now and both start lupron on 5/6. She starts her stims on 5/23!!

Just when I thought I could relax a little, I now have to decide whether or not to stay on Paxil. I have been taking it for 2 yrs now for panic disorder. I must say it has helped with my blue moods while dealing with IF. Unfortunately, Paxil and SSRIs are a category "C" for pregnant women and can cause heart defects in the first trimester and PPH (primary pulmonary hypertension) in the last trimester. Although the risks are very low and the likelihood of happening is pretty rare, it can still happen!

My Ob/gyne says that Prozac or Zoloft is better than Paxil and that I will have to wean off once bpf. My RE says because the risks to the baby are very rare, he would prefer that I stay well mentally. My DH thinks I should follow this advice. I am torn!

Has anyone had to make this decision? If you have, I would greatly appreciate your input and words of wisdom.

Thanks again for listening and hopefully reaching out.

Sticky vibes & prayers to everyone currently in cycle or in your future cycles

Gigimom

wendy3223 · 04-21-2008, 09:59 AM

Hi gigi,
first and foremost, good luck with your cycle! It is such an exciting time, and totally different than IVF with your own eggs!

I have a panic disorder and was originally told by my RE that I would have to come off my Zoloft after a BFP. (Zoloft is much safer than paxil ) I did get a BFP in December and tried to wean off of my "happy pills" but within two weeks I was starting to have panic attacks again. We (DH and myself and OB) talked about the risks vs. the benefits, and decided that the small risk of side effects was far better a chance to take than to losing the babies due to a panic attack. I am now almost 21 weeks, and am still taking my pills.

Talk to your doc. let him know your concerns, You are right that your mental health is crucial to growing happy babies!!

Again, Best of Luck!

**BC-MAV** · 04-21-2008, 11:43 AM

I was on an antidepressant when we were going through an IVF cycle with a SM to carry the embryos. The only side effect my Dr. said was cleft palate and it was like 2% in the normal population and like 3% if you were taking the RX. The % was so small I just took the risk and even if the baby did have it, it is correctable. SM delivered a healthy baby boy, our 1st so there were no problems. I would try to switch to a safer RX that may have less incidence of side effects. Perhaps try to go without the 1st 3 months? I don't know. Talk to your Dr. he will help you with this

04-20-2008, 07:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
gigimom 100-199 post 3 of hearts Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 155	SSRIs safe in pregnancy?? Hi everyone- I just posted this on the general board but wanted to also post here because I am doing a DE IVF next month/June. I haven't posted in awhile but I am back. Ready to move on from last summer's failed IVF #1. DH and I are moving on to DE IVF. I am really excited and hopeful. ED and I are on bcp now and both start lupron on 5/6. She starts her stims on 5/23!! Just when I thought I could relax a little, I now have to decide whether or not to stay on Paxil. I have been taking it for 2 yrs now for panic disorder. I must say it has helped with my blue moods while dealing with IF. Unfortunately, Paxil and SSRIs are a category "C" for pregnant women and can cause heart defects in the first trimester and PPH (primary pulmonary hypertension) in the last trimester. Although the risks are very low and the likelihood of happening is pretty rare, it can still happen! My Ob/gyne says that Prozac or Zoloft is better than Paxil and that I will have to wean off once bpf. My RE says because the risks to the baby are very rare, he would prefer that I stay well mentally. My DH thinks I should follow this advice. I am torn! Has anyone had to make this decision? If you have, I would greatly appreciate your input and words of wisdom. Thanks again for listening and hopefully reaching out. Sticky vibes & prayers to everyone currently in cycle or in your future cycles Gigimom

04-21-2008, 09:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
wendy3223 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: california Posts: 1,199	pg. ment. Hi gigi, first and foremost, good luck with your cycle! It is such an exciting time, and totally different than IVF with your own eggs! I have a panic disorder and was originally told by my RE that I would have to come off my Zoloft after a BFP. (Zoloft is much safer than paxil ) I did get a BFP in December and tried to wean off of my "happy pills" but within two weeks I was starting to have panic attacks again. We (DH and myself and OB) talked about the risks vs. the benefits, and decided that the small risk of side effects was far better a chance to take than to losing the babies due to a panic attack. I am now almost 21 weeks, and am still taking my pills. Talk to your doc. let him know your concerns, You are right that your mental health is crucial to growing happy babies!! Again, Best of Luck!

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04-21-2008, 11:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
BC-MAV Board Coordinator for Surrogacy BB Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: way down yonder ... Posts: 29,651 Blog Entries: 50	I was on an antidepressant when we were going through an IVF cycle with a SM to carry the embryos. The only side effect my Dr. said was cleft palate and it was like 2% in the normal population and like 3% if you were taking the RX. The % was so small I just took the risk and even if the baby did have it, it is correctable. SM delivered a healthy baby boy, our 1st so there were no problems. I would try to switch to a safer RX that may have less incidence of side effects. Perhaps try to go without the 1st 3 months? I don't know. Talk to your Dr. he will help you with this