Tips for anxiety? Has anyone been on anxiety medication while pregnant?

[Mango401]

Hi, could anyone give me advice on anxiety during pregnancy? I've been known for having anxiety in the past(usually connected with my epilepsy) and have been on antidepressants because of it. My anxiety has come back quite bad and I don't feel like I'm coping, I'm not depressed in anyway but am very anxious about anything and everything. I have coped so far with breathing techniques etc but it's got to the point I'm struggling to cope with it. I have been referred to counselling through midwife and waiting on finding out when my first appointment is, but I have already been told I could have to wait up to 8 weeks for this and I'm struggling to cope with it. I don't want to give up and resort to medication as I really don't want to put anymore medication into my body(as already have my epilepsy medication), but I also know first hand if I go into a full blown panic attack I can then go into a seizure.. i have very low blood pressure at the moment so im told constantly to sit and rest which is when I usually start panicking, or if i go out to the shops etc! has anyone got any advice?

[must92]

I was on steraline all way threw my pregnancy couldn’t have coped without them and I had a Healthy baby boy didn’t do any harm at all, I was told it would be worse for me to come off them when I found out I was pregnant so been on them all way threw hope you get sorted Iknow the feeling it’s awful x x

[JLew]

I am still on Setraline. It's the safest medication during pregnancy. I am on 100mg too and I have a happy baby boy who they monitored after he was born as they do with anyone on medication. But we got sent home early after 2 days because he was not scoring (*no suprise as my midwife said*). X

[Unknown8]

I was taken off all of mine due to harm coming to baby...I have other conditions too and no medication was safe, I had to start mine again after baby was born....and come off it for time being, and I suffer with depression severely...

I’d speak to your GP see what he or she advices you to do, because other ladies can say they’re on this or had come off stuff, but there could be a reason why they’re on that and others ain’t...

I’d say speak to your GP anyways because you don’t want be starting medications that’s not safe for you or your baby and some medications can mess up what your allowed (eg anaesthetics) to be given when giving birth in case of emergency. Eg c sections...

Please speak to GP, and if you do have concerns if this advice has come from him or her then please Make that clear to them because they might offer some other help.

I was having anxiety sessions through my pregnancy. I had 12 in total for 3 months

Hope this helps xx

[Major2116]

I was on Sertraline throughout my pregnancy.

I was also referred to a clinic for mental health when you're pregnant at our hospital. Due to having 2 miscarriages, I suffered with anxiety and depression. My anxiety had heightened.

The midwife at the clinic told me that Sertraline is the safest to be on. If you breastfeed then the medication doesn't go into the breath milk and there will be no withdrawal symptoms from baby unless you're on like 200mg, the worst they could get is wind.

If you're struggling Hun, it's worth talking to your GP. I've also had counselling which obviously didn't make a massive difference over night. It took time. Medication like that takes about 6 weeks to properly get into your system.

My midwife told me it's better for me and baby if I'm mentally at one steady level rather than up and down all the time.

I was induced and gave birth at 38+3 weeks to a healthy 8lb 13oz little boy 😁!

Wishing you all the best in your pregnancy xx