[poullafouca]

Has anybody any experience with this. Our potential birth mommy just told me that she takes 10 mg os Paxil per day, the baby is due in December, she didn't take it the first month.

I read about some very scary issues associated with this drug, but does anyone have any experience?

Poulla

[ramnds]

I am NOT a doctor, but when we were trying to get pregnant, my doctor told me to get off of Zoloft. And then once a pregnancy occured (never happened!) she could put me on Paxil. She said she would wait a couple of months though--I don't know if that is because of trouble with the med or if it was because she knew I would be so excited about finally being pregnant, that I wouldn't need it. So take this for what you will, maybe you could call your normal physician, they should be able to tell you something!

Rachel

[SchmennaLeigh]

No offense ramnds, but your doctor was backwards.

Paxil and pregnancy aren't meant for each other:

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially during the first 3 months and last 3 months. If this medication is taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy, the unborn baby may infrequently develop heart defects and other serious problems. Babies born to mothers who have taken this medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop symptoms including feeding/breathing trouble, seizures, muscle stiffness, jitteriness, or constant crying. If you notice any such symptoms in your newborn, report them to the doctor immediately. You should not stop taking this medication unless your doctor directs you to do so. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss the risks and benefits of taking this medication during pregnancy with your doctor.

(http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-9095...ame=Paxil+Oral)

However, if she has very involved doctors, they may have weighed the risks to her and the benefits and decided that taking her off the drug would be detrimental.

However, Zoloft is different:

If this medication is used during the last 3 months of pregnancy, infrequently your newborn may develop symptoms including feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, jitteriness, or constant crying. However, do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor directs you to do so. Tell the doctor immediately if you notice any such symptoms in your newborn.

(http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-8095...me=Zoloft+Oral)

Basically, she needs to be under the care of not only a great OBGYN and psychiatrist but there needs to be a neonatologist involved ASAP. A friend of mine had all three doctors decide that for one pregnancy, the risks of going off paxil outweighed the benefits. Her child is fine. She was monitored the entire time. In the next pregnancy, they slowly weaned her off Zoloft before the third trimester.

Different drugs react differently for certain issues. I can't tell you to tell her to switch to Zoloft because they react differently. She needs to make sure the baby is okay and get with a neonatologist.

Best of luck.

[mandalinn]

Paxil was considered safe for pregnancy up until a few months ago. Now it is at the doctor's discretion. If the patient's needs are great enough, it can be continued.

I know this from personal experience.

For me, I choose not to get pregnant because I will be on it the rest of my life (I am not sure if I can get pregnant anyway though). But it is more due to my anxiety, than the Paxil.

Oh and just to add, that is the lowest dose of Paxil available, if that helps at all.

[katlyn]

My sister took Paxil while she was pregnant, due to her serious mood swings she had too, I know that her OB/GYN new that she was. I will say however, that my nephew although he was healthy, cried almost constantly for the first few months....I remember we had to bundle him very tightly and walk and bounce him holding him very close. When he would finally go to sleep, she would put him in a vibrating bouncer, because it was the only way he'd stay asleep for any length of time. He is absolutely fine though, just started first grade and they teachers seem to think he needs to be tested to see if he's smarter than the normal first grader...apparently he can't sit still for very long or he starts talking and fidgeting . Don't know if this helps or not...best wishes!

[poullafouca]

Oh dear, it doesn't sound very straightforward, does it? She told me today that if I wished I could have a meeting with her doctor who could elaborate on the risks. I know that it isn't sensitive or appropriate to ask if she would consider taking another type of drug, which she clearly needs, but I wish I could. I am a bit scared, it sounds very possible that babies born of mothers who take this drugs are poor little addicts to it.

Poulla

[ajjhmf]

I took paxil when I was pregnant with M starting around 14 weeks. He's honestly just fine. Not addicted to it and a very happy pleasant baby even with whooping cough.

I discussed it with my OB and the risk associayed with my severe depression were more serious than the risks associated with Paxil use. I know several women who faced similar situation and their babies are okay as well.

[mommamarci]

No experience about Paxil during pregnancy, but I did take it for a while. I was also taking the 10mg dose. I had to be weened off of it because it is HIGHLY addictive. The doctors did not think at such a low does it would be that severe, but I developed nausea, severe vertigo, etc. when I tried to stop cold turkey. Part of the reason I quit taking it is because we were ready to start trying to get pregnant and I did not want to take any chances. However, my depression was mild and situational.