You have discovered that you are one of the 1 in 5 UK mums affected by maternal mental health, now your being offered medication. But your unsure, maybe your pregnant and are worried the meds will harm baby. Or similarly breastfeeding and not sure if the meds will pass on to baby? Or maybe you are just unsure if the side effects listed on the meds are something you want to deal with?
Let’s deal with all these questions here, and if you have any more, feel free to leave a comment. But also speak to your GP about the best treatment for you and the options available.
Then let’s see what alternatives, if any, there are available to those of us suffering with maternal mental health issues.
Mental Health Medication In Pregnancy & Breast feeding
In this modern day we much more aware of how things impact us and more natural remedies are becoming more and more popular across all areas of medicine. But right now the western way is still medication and this is the first line the Drs etc will use, rightly or wrongly so. So, are there risks to your unborn baby?
As with any medicine be it for physical or mental health in pregnancy the decision isn’t often straightforward. I mean after all something as everyday as ibuprofen is off limits and have you ever tried to get sinus meds when expecting?
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists these are some factors you need to consider:
- How unwell you have been in the past
- How quickly you became unwell in the past if/when you stopped taking medication for a mental illness
- Have medications for mental illness caused issues due to side effects in the past that where too much for you?
They do go on to say that in most cases they don’t have enough information to say any medication is 100% safe during pregnancy, but this is not limited to mental health medication.
Anti-psychotic medication is often relied upon most as they help with some of the more sever and difficult illnesses which are extremely hard to manage. The Royal College of Psychiatrists provide a somewhat conflicting response unfortunately, there is no good evidence to say any types of mediation in this range are safe to use in pregnancy. A large study however, did find no increased risk of birth defects in general but did show a small increased risk with a specific drug being Risperidone but even more confusing this risk hasn’t been found in other studies. So they are classing it as an apparent increased risk and saying more research needs to be done.
As for other mental health meds, such as anti depressants etc I’m afraid there is no clear cut answer. It is down to you to make the decision based on your situation, your needs and a weighing up of the risks and benefits. Some people the scale will tip one way and to others another way. So, as always there is no right or wrong answers here. If not taking meds means you will be unable to cope, potentially suicidal etc then these risks may clearly outweigh any risks to baby. It is also good to note here that drugs are not clinically tested on pregnant ladies so it is not always risks that are known, it may be perceived so you can use this argument both for and against taking meds.
Some of the known risks involved and to be aware of when making your decision include:
- Possible birth defects.There is evidence that taking some mental health meds (specifically those involved in blocking the re-uptake of serotonin) early in pregnancy slightly increases the risk of your baby developing heart defects, spina bifida, cleft lip.
- Increased risk of premature birth or miscarriage.
- Withdrawal symptoms in the newborn baby.
- Drugs may be passed to baby via breast milk.
Remember this is not to say, as said above, that you should or shouldn’t take mental health medication. It is a decision based on each individual basis and understandable a difficult one. So please do reach out for support to either your specialised midwife, a family or friend, your GP etc etc. And for more information click here to visit Mind an amazing mental health charity that has lots more info and advice.
Alternatives To Traditional Medicine
Although all the above seemed very doom and gloom fear not my friend. There is another way. And more recently alternatives to traditional western medicine is becoming more and more poplar, and that means more accessible. There is a huge wealth of alternative medicines available so I will list those that have specifically helped for me and many others who I help.
Alternatives to medicine
So, although all the above seemed very doom and gloom fear not my friend! There is another way. And more recently alternatives to traditional western medicine is becoming more and more poplar, and that means more accessible. There is a huge wealth of alternative medicines available so I will list those that has specifically helped for me and many others whom I deal with.
Mindset work
One of my other biggest tools which I use alongside exercise is various forms of mindset work. Basically it’s about learning new ways to think, imagine your brain is an electrical circuit, it’s about making new connections, dealing with troublesome connections and deleting connections that are faulty. And I do this using a wide variety of methods.
One of which is keeping a journal. It is such a therapeutic experience, it helps release so much and is one of those you have to try it to believe it moments again. Dispel the old ways you have of thinking of keeping a journal. Or is it that me that thought journals where just something you did as a teen to moan about boys, dream about boys, moan about friends and dream about your fave celeb coming to your school? Well, this is why I have created a totally free challenge designed to help you learn how to keep a journal that will benefit your mental health. You will get an email everyday for 30 days direct to your inbox giving you information and offering you support on your new journalling journey.
Mindset work
One of my other biggest tools which I use alongside exercise is various forms of mindset work. Basically it’s about learning new ways to think, imagine your brain is an electrical circuit, it’s about making new connections, dealing with troublesome connections and deleting connections that are faulty. And I do this using a wide variety of methods.
One of which is keeping a journal. It is such a therapeutic experience, it helps release so much and is one of those you have to try it to believe it moments again. Dispel the old ways you have of thinking of keeping a journal. Or is it that me that thought journals where just something you did as a teen to moan about boys, dream about boys, moan about friends and dream about your fave celeb coming to your school? Well, this is why I have created a totally free challenge designed to help you learn how to keep a journal that will benefit your mental health. You will get an email everyday for 30 days direct to your inbox giving you information and offering you support on your new journalling journey.
Exercise
For me there has been one (scientifically proven) way that dramatically helps with my mental health. And that is exercise. Now, I know most of us are initially immediately put off by this word, and I feel you! The word it self literally feels like effort. And effort and motivation is something us pregnant, new mums and mental illnesses sufferers don’t have in abundance. But I am going to use the age ole cliche am afraid (hangs head in shame) if I can turn my attitude to exercise around, so can you.
I was never and had never been an exerciser, I hated it! It was a chore I never did except for occasionally taking the stairs if the lift was broken at university. So, when my GP first suggested exercise to me as an alternative to mental health meds, believe me when I say I laughed at him! I said
“yes because that is just what I need right now? Aint I meant to be the crazy one here?”
Now several years later, here I am a fully qualified personal trainer using exercise as my biggest and greatest weapon against my mental illnesses and helping others do the same. It’s about taking a total switch up in your mind about what exercise is for and why. One of my top tips for this is a very simple exercise (no pun intended). Try this:
Pick a physical exercise, something as simple as a brisk 20 min walk or swimming or make it fun and do some dancing (and I mean the sort you do when no one is watching !) Now, here’s the task…before you start write down how you feel (mentally not physically!) on a piece of paper, keep it as brief as you can. Then IMMEDIATELY after you have finished your exercise again write down how you feel (mentally not physically remember). Also ask yourself how much you was aware of your mental illness symptoms whilst you was doing the exercise. I guarantee you will see a positive difference you will feel different and you will begin to unleash the power!
Explore my website using the tabs above and the services section to discover more help on exercise for mental health. There is also lots of help on my social media in particular on Wednesdays which is weekly workout Wednesday.
Talking Therapies
You can speak to your GP and asked to be referred to a counsellor or pay for one privately (make sure they are level 3 qualified and registered with BCAP). There is also therapies such as CBT and more available via the NHS. There does tend to be lengthy waiting lists, so be prepared for this. It once took me 18 months to be seen. Speak to your GP, midwife or Health Visitor and ask them what options there are available in your area. If you are currently pregnant speak to your midwife about having a midwife who specialises in mental health (most often called the enhanced midwifery team). These can be a fab source of support during your pregnancy. After birth, you can ask if there is a health visitor in your area who specialises in mental health. My health visitor did and she was invaluable for me on many occasion. There are also perinatal mental health teams in most areas, again, you can be referred to these via your GP or health visitor.
Combination Of Them All
This is what I offer. I am a mental health practitioner and I help women who struggle with their mental health. My main area of expertise is helping women to gain control over their moods and emotions. You can find out more about me and what I do using the menu buttons and exploring this website in more detail.
Sharing is caring
Please use the options below to share this blog, you never know who it will benefit or who needs to see it. And as always, the more we share, the more we educate and therefore the more we eliminate stigma.
