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Q&A: I've been diagnosed with depression. What should I know before I get pregnant?

I've been diagnosed with clinical depression. Is there anything I need to know before I get pregnant?

Re: I've been diagnosed with clinical depression. Is there anything I need to know before I get pregnant?

The Bump Expert

Your first step is to talk with your doctor about your treatment options. If medication is being suggested, as opposed to or in addition to regular therapy, then you need to know what the safest options are, as well as the possible side effects. The risks of antidepressants during pregnancy have been a hot topic for years and few medications have been proven safe without a doubt during pregnancy. However, the risks of leaving your depression untreated have to be considered, too.

The particular kind of antidepressant your doc prescribes is also another factor, since some can cause more harm to your fetus than others. Depending on your particular case, your doctor may recommend lowering your dosage, switching to new meds, or stopping meds entirely.

Colleen Canney | March 19 , 2010 4:19 PM

Q&A: I've been diagnosed with depression. What should I know before I get pregnant?

My therapist diagnosed me with manic depressive disorder, also known as bipolar depressive disorder and my psychiatrist prescribed me with prozac. My baby doctor told me that it is better for me to take my medication, with the very unlikely side effects that it CAN cause for the baby (but most likely will not), than it is to suffer with depression. Your baby can feel your emotions and if your depression is bad enough to require medication it can be more dangerous for you to forgo medication.

AmberLynneB | August 08 , 2010 1:46 AM

Q&A: I've been diagnosed with depression. What should I know before I get pregnant?

same hiere - bipolar type II, PTSD, anxiety and depression. pregnancy is hard enough with severe sickness & chronic pain, but adding mental turmoil to it is just asking for trouble. it's much, much better to to find a good regime that keeps the brain chemistry balanced and start/continue with therapy to help cope with the changes assoicated with pregnancy. even with an excellent support network, i found pregnancy very difficult and still find depression & detachment to be an issue. i just know, however, that if i'd tried to go it alone (no support, meds or therapy), i'd be in a much, much worse state.

Tusia | February 19 , 2012 12:36 AM