Homebirth and anti-depressants

Flashdaisy

Hello all!

Has anyone on here had a successful homebirth whilst taking anti-depressants? I take Fluoxetine long-term, and am currently pregnant with my third child, and would like a homebirth. My midwife has said there "may" be a problem with me having one whilst on anti-d's, I know it's my decision, but would be interested to know if anyone has any experiences/advice.

Many thanks

Jo_R_2

I have a history of depression and was on fluoxetine right up until I found out I was pg with this baby. My GP and psychiatrist are very against women taking meds during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary so I have come off them. I was planning a home birth anyway as I did with my last baby (didn't work out like that but hey!)

The issue I had in my last pregnancy was that because I have suffered depression before (including postnatal depression), they wanted to transfer me from midwife-led care to consultant-led care... They ended up doing this without me knowing and I wasn't happy about it, I did go to the hospital for my antenatal care in the end, but insisted on planning my home birth because I saw no reason not to, there was nothing medically that warranted a hospital birth.

In the end it wasn't to be for other reasons, but I personally can't see any reasons why being on that particular drug would be an issue with a HB. My experience is that midwives and doctors can often seem like they want to be cautious because at the end of the day they are protecting themselves and the hospital in case anything does happen. I know that's why my GP won't approve me taking meds whilst pg or breastfeeding, which he has explained and I respect that - what I do find gets my back up is when you are simply told with no explanation. I'd look into it more and see what answers they come up with.

I'm guessing you prob already know about this site: http://www.homebirth.org.uk/ which is my font of knowledge, and there's plenty of other stuff, the Radical Midwives' site is also great if you haven't checked it out: http://www.radmid.demon.co.uk/midwives1.htm

foreversomeday

The homebirth site linked to by Jo R should be able to tell you, there is a section on what reasons you might think you wouldn't be able to have a home birth Good luck!

Gingham_Ribbon

AIMS are excellent for sensible advice.

You might also want to talk to a doula about what sort of support you can get to make sure you get the birth you want.

Inkedkitten

I'm a student midwife and I would really urge you to talk to your midwives/doctors because a doula may be able to advise but has no medical qualification and doesn't have the right to advise you what is best for your health. They are very good at guiding you and helping you through the birth though.

If your midwife says there may be a problem then listen to her, yes we are cautious because we are dealing with life and death, one wrong choice and we could have a dead mother or baby on our hands, which is not out aim at all. I agree that everything should be explained to you and agreed, but we're the ones looking after you, and want the best for you, even if unfortunately it doesn't coincide with your birth plan, most midwives will want to give you your ideal birth, however if matters complicate we have to do the best for you and your child.

Jo_R_2

Inkedkitten wrote: »

I'm a student midwife and I would really urge you to talk to your midwives/doctors because a doula may be able to advise but has no medical qualification and doesn't have the right to advise you what is best for your health. They are very good at guiding you and helping you through the birth though.

If your midwife says there may be a problem then listen to her, yes we are cautious because we are dealing with life and death, one wrong choice and we could have a dead mother or baby on our hands, which is not out aim at all. I agree that everything should be explained to you and agreed, but we're the ones looking after you, and want the best for you, even if unfortunately it doesn't coincide with your birth plan, most midwives will want to give you your ideal birth, however if matters complicate we have to do the best for you and your child.

I agree with what you are saying, there may be issues to consider around the medical side of taking anti d's - I can't name any because I am not aware of any that may arise during the process of giving birth (not saying there aren't any, just that I don't know!)

What I think is the problem is when as a mum-to-be, you are told things without any explanation, then it is up to you to be the one doing the asking, the finding out why. If the OP's midwife had said simply something like why there might be a problem, the OP wouldn't be querying it. Or even the m/w saying she would need to double check if the meds could have any implication in giving birth.

I have to say my experience has actually been that midwives are more prepared to listen to a pregnant lady than doctors are - you wouldn't believe how bloody-minded some of the doctors were in my last pregnancy... One consultant TOLD me he was going to induce me if I was still pregnant the week after!:mad:

soolin

I too would urge you to talk to AIMS.

AS mentioned above it is difficult to sort out real worries that a midwife might have from false ones, I was involved with AIMS for many years and some of the things women were told by midvives and doctors was incredible, we had women being told they were not legally allowed a home birth as their bathroom was on a different floor to their bedroom (that was one I was told), others were told it is illegal for 1st babies to be born at home, or for midvives to attend if it was dark and many even stranger excuses.

Get a second medical opinion and then sit and think about it, if they really feel that this medication is detrimental to a home birth ask them to explain to you why, take someone along to a pre arranged meeting and take notes and then go and double check what they say. at home you will have one to one attention which might actually be beneficial, at our local maternity centre there are often women in corridors in advanced stages of labour with no one to help due to staff shortages and I can't see that being beneficial to anyone.

However, talk to them again first, get them to explain exactly why they feel this is a poor idea, then go and check out what they say before making any decisions.

My last 2 children were born at home, no pain relief at all and a calm loving environment, both were against medical advice. The second one I actually had to hide away as they wanted to take me in as they said the baby was too big for a home birth..dear little thing only managed 81bs 11 oz which is hardly enormous nowadays.

Nicki

I'm not a midwife, nor do I have any experience of taking anti-depressants while pregnant, but here is some research on the effect of the drug when taken in late pregnancy:

http://www.otispregnancy.org/pdf/prozac.pdf

There is an increased risk of the baby suffering some after effects of the drug, which might need a few days in special care, and an increased risk of mum having a pulmonary embolism, according to this. I'd guess your midwives would like your newborn to be checked over by a paediatrician immediately after the birth and have immediate access to medical care if suffering withdrawal symptoms.

It is up to you, but I would get a range of medical opinions on the risks before making your decision, and I would not give much weight to pro home-birth websites or the opinions of non medically trained mums who have or haven't had home births (which includes me btw ), as this seems to be quite a specialised situation, with more to bear in mind than the usual for or against home birth arguments.

Good luck with the delivery wherever it happens.