Pregnancy guilt: Taking medications while pregnant

Depression is real and the effects of having an untreated depressive episode are far worse and long lasting compared to the minor side effects of taking an antidepressant during pregnancy or while lactating.
Depression needs to be viewed medically as any other disorder. If you were to have gestational diabetes you wouldn’t feel “guilty” for taking insulin, while it too could cause sudden hypoglycaemic episodes etc.
Despite my medical background of being a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist I still suffered post partum depression and required to take SSRIs for 6 months while I breastfed.
If i hadn’t taken those, I would have either been an absent parent, or may have even turned suicidal.
Those to me, are really the biggest trade offs.
You need sanity first, and nothing should make you feel guilty of claiming just that.
And while guilt is natural, it doesn’t have to play out as the truth.

This is something that I struggle with often.

Full disclosure: I'm on an SSRI to help manage my anxiety.

I know that I'm going to want to start trying to have kids soon but I just don't know if I can commit to getting off of my medication. I've heard all the horror stories about how taking SSRIs during the second and third trimester of pregnancy increases your chances of your baby being autistic. I've also heard that taking acetaminophen while pregnant also increases your chances of having an autistic baby. Obviously, this completely freaks me out!

I just don't know if I can commit to stopping my medication but I will also be sure to talk with my doctor about this before doing anything.

Girl. Life is too short for shame. Life is too short to start feeling mom guilt this early. You are taking much-needed meds FOR YOUR HEALTH. Not knocking back cocktails and sushi.

Give yourself some grace for taking on pregnancy (a really really hard experience physically, mentally, and emotionally) on top of what you’re already dealing with.

Sending you all the best wishes.

I absolutely went through this when I first got pregnant with my daughter. I have been taking the same medication for the last 10-12 years now and I knew that I wouldn't be able to get off of my medication or else my health would plummet. It took me a year to fully feel like I was used to the medication, and I am completely bedridden without it so it was kind of a no-brainer for me to keep taking it.

Did I feel the constant pings of mom guilt?

Of course I did.

Did I cry a ridiculous amount of tears because of it?

Also, yes, of course I did.

Sometimes you just have to know that to show up for your baby, you have to be well enough to take care of them.

It sounds like you have a good plan in place and will be able to handle that last third trimester without any issues. My heart goes out to you!

Lauren