Bump watch begins
The bump at 12 weeks:
Before you get all skritchy and start yelling that this is not at a bump by any stretch of the imagination, let's compare this to the bump at 15 weeks from my pregnancy with Leta:
Could someone please tell the woman in that photo to put some sunscreen on?
Also, some of you have suggested that I might be pregnant with twins, and believe me when I tell you that I lived with the nightmare of that possibility for ten and a half weeks. And no, I'm not going to apologize for referring to it as a nightmare, I'm sure your twins are lovely people. But I am not the type of person who can handle that type of chaos and readily admit that you are a better person than I am. We had the doctor check for twins during my sonogram, and she promises me that there was only one swimming around in there. Look:
I asked her if the sneaky twin could be hiding somewhere in a corner? Maybe it had dressed itself in an invisibility cloak? And she was all YOU'RE SO SILLY! And I was all, hmm, I don't think "silly" is the clinical term for it, do yourself a favor and REFRAIN FROM GOOGLING MY NAME.
Now, on to a burning question that's sort of sitting out there making a few people uncomfortable or at least a little more curious than they are used to being: I am still taking Prozac. Last year when I found out I was pregnant (the one that ended in miscarriage) we found the phone number for the doctor who treated me for postpartum depression in the hospital in 2004 and left a desperate message. He does not treat anyone outside of the hospital but was generous enough to return our call and answer our questions about medication during pregnancy, and his advice was to remain on Prozac (although he did suggest that I stop taking Neurontin and Valium). Prozac has a half-life so long that even if I had stopped taking it when I found out I was pregnant it would have remained in my system for several weeks. He's been treating postpartum depression for over 30 years and has seen hundreds of pregnant women who have continued taking Prozac go on to have perfectly healthy babies. My OBGYN agrees with him.
I do not know about any other medications, and if you have questions or concerns about your own you should call your doctor. I do know that I feel good about this decision, and so far things are really good. Am I physically miserable? Absolutely, but I'm really hopeful and coping like I should be. And this time I know exactly what signs and symptoms to look for in my mood and what tools I can turn to. I feel so much more prepared, like I know I'm about to jump into a pond full of crocodiles, and this time instead of throwing in my naked body head first I'm climbing into an armored Humvee that will be slowly lowered into the water, machine guns first.
Will people accuse me of putting my baby in danger by continuing to take Prozac? I expect that email or comment to hit within minutes. This wouldn't be the Internet without those lovely little cutie pies. Smooches! The reason I bring this up is because someone is out there right now trying to make the decision about whether or not to stay on her medication, and even if her doctor is telling her that she needs to, that it's perfectly okay, she knows that if she does she'll have to listen to some dickwad condemn her for trying to kill her baby. I want that woman to know that I am surrounded by those dickwads, they have my email address, my mailing address, their own websites where they go on and on about how sad it's going to be for my children to grow up with such a crazy mother (Hi, guys! Thanks for the traffic!), that I shouldn't be allowed to have another baby. IT'S ALL BEEN SAID ABOUT ME. All of it, the same things over and over again. I want you to know that all of those people are dealing with their own issues, it has absolutely nothing to do with you, and that I'm willing stand up for me and for you and say, hey, thanks for your concern, but I'm perfectly capable of making decisions for me and my baby.
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Heather talks about public tantrums (from kids) on today's Momversation.
- Bedtime, Leta lingering defiantly in the hallway. Jon: "If you want fart stories, you better get in bed RIGHT NOW."
- RIP Louis Mortimer Armstrong: http://bit.ly/1R4tv6
- Hugs and kisses to you, too! RT: @Monkey_Tree: @dooce he probably committed suicide because he was tired of LISTENING TO YOU WHINE.
865. Big Dog Mom Pam said:
Yea, Dooce! Congrats on the new addition to the family. I totally support your decision to continue the Prozac while pregnant. And for those who say otherwise - pfft. It's between you and your doctors.
866. Lee Montgomery-Garvin said:
Has Jon started a sympathy bump yet???
be happy....
867. Anonymous said:
I am tempted to spam you with a lot of kind emails in the hope that they will drown the mean ones so you'll never get around to reading them...
868. Stacy said:
I have a idea. After watching the latest edition of Momversation, I say we hustle those special elves to make all the trolls special brownies. It could be a world wide performance of a scene in Dumb & Dumber only the special elves could use Ex-Lax instead of Turbo Lax. ;)
869. Michelle said:
You are lucky to have a figure that allows you to see the progress at my baby bump. With the shape I'm in, I wouldn't visibly know I was pregnant until about eight months into it.
870. news said:
Thanks for sharing! You look great! Best of luck to you and your family!
872. Bush Babe said:
There's a bump there? Honey I have a bigger bump than that without any assistance from a little internal being!!!
Wondering if you have ever read the book "Up the Duff" ... hilarious "How To" guide for pregancy, written by an Aussie comedian (and mother) Kaz Cooke. It's a riot. And quite helpful. Not sure if it addresses Prozac, but it covers most stuff. And has outrageous illustrations too!
Am thinking your current stage is where she refers to the baby as "resembling a crustacean made of snot". It's a bit irreverent. But I thought you might like that!
:-)
BB
873. Siobhan said:
I could have sworn that said 15 weeks yesterday. Did I not have my glasses on? Was I having a dyslexic moment? Oh well.
Hello little Armstrong Blob! (He/She is obviously an Armstrong child, waving at the camera already!)
874. Kelly O said:
Seriously, anyone who would knock you for doing what your doctors recommend needs their own head examined. There are all sorts of things that might happen that require medication during pregnancy, and if you get the all-clear, then Prozac away.
On a semi-related note, I think it's sad when other people can't find anything else better to do than knock the decisions of someone they may not even know. Life is full of tough things, and it doesn't do any good to focus so much on the "might be bads" out there. I nearly drove myself crazy with that.
875. Anonymous said:
Thank you for this entry. I am pregnant and have refilled my anti-depressant prescription but have yet to take a pill since I found out I was pregnant because I was nervous that something bad may happen if I do, even though my dr. told me that it was safe. I have decided that nine months of insanity isn't worth it, especially the state I may be in after the baby comes. I will be no good to my children or myself. Thank you for being so honest with your life. You help more people than you know.
876. Anonymous said:
You are a true inspiration to anyone who is going through the same thing as you. I have been treated for bipolar for a few years and in a few more years, when I want to become a mom, it will be comforting to know that someone else has been through this. Thank you for sharing your story and congratulations, I know you and your baby (not to mention the rest of your family) will be so happy.
877. Maude said:
This is my first comment although my husband and have been reading your blog since I was pregnant with our 18 month old. I've been meaning to thank you since your pregnancy with Leta served as one very nervous and reluctant father's guide to coping with my pregnancy. Sadly, my continuing post pregnancy bump is way bigger than your genuine bump. people have asked me when I'm due. You've gotta look pretty pregnant for that to happen.
Anyway, regarding the antidepressants. As a previously medicated depressive (interestingly pregnancy balanced me out), I'm aware that the antidepressants are usually correcting a biochemical imbalance in chronic depressives. It only makes sense to me that if you have a biochemical imbalance, your baby could actually be better off developing in a medically "balanced" body than an imbalanced one. This seems to be supported by all the women who have written in about their happy, mellow antidepressant gestated children. You may be doing more than ensuring your baby has a healthy capable mother, you may be giving it a greater biochemical chance of being a happy capable child. You may not only be ensuring a better nurture situation, but a better "nature" one too. Just a thought.
Also, congratulations! I'm really hoping to be following in your footsteps though another pregnancy again soon.
Lots of love to all 4 of you.
878. Amber said:
Preach it! You are beautiful.
879. Anonymous said:
Sooooooooo, I suppose that means you won't be inviting Tom Cruise for Christmas dinner? ;]
Congratulations on being preggers again. Hang in there girl, you'll be fine.
880. jonniker said:
I suffered from extreme morning sickness through week 22. Barfing all the way, every day -- I couldn't eat ANYTHING. I cried when I smelled certain foods. (I'm 27 weeks now.) I LOST MY SHIT when people gave me near-constant advice on my blog and elsewhere, because even if you haven't tried it (and believe me, if you're as sick as I, and probably you, get, YOU HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING). I mean, I had TWENTY WEEKS to figure something out, my God.
I was finally about four seconds away from screeching at anyone who even ATTEMPTED to give me advice that they could go fuck themselves, even though they didn't deserve it.
Pregnancy sickness. It's crazymaking.
881. Meggles said:
Comment #879---That Tom is such a nut, don't you think? :)
882. Anonymous said:
I think you look practically the same in both photos....gorgeous, but the same!
I know plenty of women that stayed on antidepressants while pregnant and babies are fine. The benefits outweigh any possible dangers. Good luck with all.
883. Sabine's Mom said:
I, too, faced this decision when I found out I was pregnant. My doc took me off prozac and put me on welbutrin (which turned out to be crazy pills for me) during my pregnancy. I was nervous about it, especially because I'm married to a med student who likes to tell me about every study in which any baby is born with an arm growing out of its head. But it turned out to be a great decision that I'm glad I made, as well as taking zoloft while breastfeeding. As the daughter of a severely depressed mom, I can proudly stand by my decisions and know that I am a better wife and mother because of them. And congratulations to you, you have many great things in your life.
884. Anonymous said:
Thank you for your honesty about your meds, but mostly for your bravery in posting it online. I have some idea of how hard it is to work on the internets and I know I would not be able to be as strong.
885. Hope said:
Congrats Heather! I too decided to keep my sanity by staying on my anti-depressants and now have a beautiful, healthy, 16 month old girl!
Your post announcing the newest addition of your family brought tears to my eyes. So happy for you and your family!
886. laurie said:
go, bump, go!
887. Steph Rahl said:
Congratulations, Heather and Jon!
If Dooce 2.0 is anything like me and my sisters (that is, ridiculously competitive), he/she's getting started early. What a bump for 12 weeks!
And don't listen to anyone who tells you that you are wrong to continue taking Prozac when your doctor's already okayed it. You're preparing to take care of this baby in the best way you can in an extremely public arena, and I admire you for it. You're a great mom, Dooce. Best of luck.
888. from europe said:
I am an European reader, who decided to seek help for PPD after reading of Heather's experience. I was assigned a psychiatrist by the health care system, who listened to my story, made several questions, and prescribed me Celexa right away, not before asking if I preferred not to take meds. Celexa saved my life and my child's, and my husband's. Now I'm pregnant again and decided to suspend it, and I'm feeling great. And I now know what to do if the evil monster of depression hits me again after giving birth. Heather, thank you so much for being there and sharing, it means so much to me personally and I'm sure it means so much for many others out there. And as for the haters, well, they seem to really have a lot of time in their hands. It must be the recession.
889. Anonymous said:
Let's see...doctor with a medical degree, crazy assface on the internet...I think your decision's pretty sound ;D
890. Mehgan said:
Congratulations on your pregnancy Dooce, you look great! I've been following your blog for years and I think it's hysterical. As a mom of a 7-month old girl I now "get" the intricacies of parenthood you blog about. You're a great mom and your new little one is lucky to have such a loving family.
891. Anonymous said:
Heather, thanks for writing this. I struggled with the decision to take prozac when I was pregnant and breastfeeding. Yes, I probably could have lived without it, but I would have been miserable and I wouldn't have been able to bond with and enjoy my baby. Plus, my marriage would probably be over. I am so glad you're taking good care of yourself and your baby.
892. Christine F. said:
Congrats! Forget the nasties that take pleasure in making fun of others when they certainly don't have all the information behind decisions. Good for you for making the informed choices that you did and doing what's best for both you and the baby.
Still love reading your blog - I've been reading it since right after Leta was born! :)
Christine
893. SarahHub @ Oakbriar Farm said:
Heather,
As mothers, we really need to be there for each other more. Instead of judging one another, instead of second-guessing someone else's choices, we should positively encourage one another.
Thanks for always doing so.
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
894. Susan said:
Not that it's my business at all, but it never occurred to me that you wouldn't stay on your meds throughout this pregnancy. You look great, best wishes to you, Jon and Leta.
895. Giovanna Diaries said:
Congrats on the Bump!
20736. KD said:
Postpartum depression is a dangerous disease; it robs the baby and family of a mom when she's most needed; it makes childbearing a nightmare for the mom. Stay on your meds as long as your OB says it's safe. As for ECT, it is the safest procedure for many women during pregnancy, and thanks to good anethesia, there is no uncontrollable shaking. As a nurse, I witnessed hundreds of such treatments. Let's dispell that myth and remember that Hollywood gets paid to make things look more dramatic than they are.
896. Baby Blanket said:
Heather – Congratulations!!
We hope you keep us updated throughout the entire process. I enjoy your post and the comments “some” of the people make.
897. Anonymous said:
My wife is pregnant with our second child, almost 14 weeks now, and the similarities are striking. She was incredibly sick all nine months the first time (to the point where people thought she was joking, until she puked right there in front of them) and this time seems to be just the same. She's been "showing" for a little while now (which, I hear, is very common after the first child), she's been puking her pretty little head off for about 13 weeks and, until the ultrasound last week we lost sleep (and quite a few tears) in fear of having twins. We only have one kid in there, thank all incorporeal entities. Our daughter is only 14 months old now (can you spell "happy little accident"?), we're so exhausted and still adjusting to this new life that the idea of a new baby -- never mind two! -- often feels like it will push us beyond our limits.
We just know we'll get through it. We don't know how, but we have to believe we will. And reading your stories help. We're not alone in this little hell of NVP, and neither are you.
And little happy pregnant women who have tons of energy and so dearly love growing a little life inside them and think that this NVP nonsense is just people exaggerating, well they can all blow me. And while you're here you can witness the hell my wife has to live through. If a doctor-recommended drug can help make that even bearable, then go for it. Every one else can just shove it.
And always enjoy the happy little moments! (There I go writing a country song again...)
898. Leslie said:
your bump is so teeny and cute!
how tall are you again? hehe
congrats, and to hell with the bastards.
899. Kristi said:
Okay, so just ONE evil commenter inspired me to add my positive two cents. Drown the a**hole in a sea of well-wishing!!
I am yet another mom who took meds through pregnancy and it was the best thing I've ever done. It was my 3rd and I was at the point of suicide. I woke up one day and realized that this wasn't the way I should be feeling and promptly went to the doctor. He put me on Zoloft and I have never looked back. I strongly believe that I would be either dead, divorced, or worse (yeah, there IS worse than dead) without medication. It's all about balancing your risk (hm, which is worse - a baby on Zoloft or a dead (or crazy, or worthless, or hysterical) mom?
Heather, YOU ROCK, and please don't listen to the haters. You are a great mom... really!! And you make the rest of us laugh and rally along with you every day you blog.
THANKS!!
900. Moltomom said:
Women usually show quicker the second time around - I certainly did as well! I'm five months along now and I seem bigger than I was at this point with my son. Oh well!
And I hear ya regarding the taste of food - everything is so much more delicious than it ever was before. Mundane foods like Cheerios are suddenly amazing to me! Go figure.
901. Sharon said:
great bump, looking forward to reading all about your pregnancy. I have had the joy of seeing friends go through the whole preggers thing and was genuinely surprised to see how much unsolicited advice you receive from strangers. I say fuck the strangers!
902. Deb Maue said:
Heather - It takes a tremendous amount of courage to speak the truth. I appreciate your honesty. Your column is a daily inspiration to live openly, honestly and fully. Thank you.
903. Scott in Philly said:
Congrats Armstrong family... I have a "baby bump", but it's not the same as yours. I'll blame it on the baby fat even though I'm 30 and a man.
904. laura said:
ok..here's an honest - non-judmental question:
Why are so many women on anit-depressants or anxiety meds? If you read these comments alone, it's rather alarming. What makes this happen? Is it a genetic problem, society problem...or the pace of life we all keep?(i'm holding down three jobs so believe me, i know about stress, depression and anxiety...)
i am honestly so glad there is medication for us to take, but sometimes wonder what is the trigger that makes for these issues - and especially for women?
Again, an honest question...anyone have any good answers or thoughts to this?
thanks
laura
ps..Dooce- you look lovely with your baby bump and i hope the sickness dissipates soon.
905. Alicia said:
Heather I wish you the absolute best! I love your humor and spiritedness. You’ve given me a much needed laugh on more than one occasion. Hang in their through the ruff times.
906. Mignon said:
I'm sure all the Go You! stuff has been said, so to the most articulate and positive of those sentiments I say, "What they said."
The fact that, even with your cute little baby bump, and probably through your 11th month of pregnancy, you can still wear Horizontal Stripes! (from ON? I think I have the same one), that's what I'm giving you a big Woot! about. And yeah, also, about the sunscreen.
907. Karohli said:
I was put on prozac for PPD in 2005. I got pregnant with my son in 06. I stayed on it the whole pregnancy. He is a normal little boy and a huge PITA.
Take care of yourself.
1297. Carly said:
Big huge congrats! That is awesome. I follow you because Leta and my son are close in age. Love your monthly letters!
908. Wendy said:
Hi Heather,
You look wonderful, congratulations. I too stayed on my meds during pregnancy up until the third trimester (I was on Zoloft) and got right back on them the second that baby popped out. I still delt with pretty bad post-pardum depression and do not wish that on anyone, it was a horrible experience. I wish I could go back and enjoy that time with my little guy, but there's nothing I can do but just enjoy him now! Love my meds - can't live without them!
Take care you!
909. Lisa said:
You think that bump is huge??
If my stomach looked like that I would
be walking around in a bikini all day! lol
Keep rockin' the internet!
910. Jane said:
To Laura comment #904 - I suspect that women who have gone through depression (postpartum or otherwise) are just more likely to be avid readers of this blog, because they identify with what Heather has gone through. And these women are probably even MORE likely to comment on this particular post. So I think you probably can't assess the depression rate among women in general based on the women who comment on this blog, you know?
I also wonder if in our culture, women are more likely to seek treatment for depression, whereas men are more likely to take a stoic, grin-and-bear-it attitude and refuse to admit "weakness"? Anyone else have theories on this?
911. LaDonna said:
I am 35 weeks pregnant - neener neener neener. Pregnancy blows - I can't wait till this is over!
Congrats - you look beautiful!
912. kndaf23 said:
Um, one more thing slightly off-topic. To the people who say "oh, now I know why your writing was so crazy the last few months, cos you were knocked up" I say Pffft! Regardless of whether you were pregnant or not, I have always liked the way you expressed yourself through writing and heaven forbid you had a strong opinion about this past political season. I guess my point is that people who get down on you for your opinions and ideas about anything really should STFU and stop reading because after all this is your blog. Anyway, rant over. Peace.
913. Missy said:
i think you look amazing for 12 weeks pregnant... i think you look amazing for someone that is NOT pregnant too... either way, fk those people that are shit talking... you know what is best for your baby... go with it... good luck and hope you start to feel better really soon!
914. sasha said:
Cute bump! With my second kid I started showing as soon as I saw the line on the pee-stick. I kid you not.
Great post, you sound so freaking healthy and balanced (or you're doing a convincing job of faking it!) I admire you a lot.
915. Kate said:
Thanks for sharing, Heather. I was wondering about what you were planning to do (I'm in the same situation myself) and value your opinions.
p.s. He's a cutie already!
186625. SunSpotBaby said:
I don't know what it says about me, but I read it as "cloven-hooved beast." I had to go back and look!!
243657. Crystal said:
Hey "Love Hating Dooce",
Why don't you go wash the sand out of your vagina?!!!
916. watercolor said:
Amen. hugs!
917. JZ said:
Hi... never post comments, but I just wanted to let you know that reading your site over the past couple years about getting pregnant and having Leta and postpartum actually gave me hope/courage to someday, if I wanted to, to have kids.
I've always been scared that having been suicidal, depressed and all that fun stuff when I was in my teens/early 20s (and sometimes still questionably stable) meant for sure I'd end up with postpartum and a wretch of a mother- and worst that I didn't deserve to even try being a mom b/c I didn't come packaged in silk and pink ribbons.
Maybe it sounds dumb, but reading about someone who didn't have it all together but has been able to find stability and keep it that way and jump in for a second time- totally prepared, is really inspiring. Mostly it makes me less scared knowing someone else out there has made it through the rabbit hole and isn't afraid to say exactly how it is and that they know they deserve and can do what they want- regardless of naysayers
1298. Anonymous said:
Google "Risks, Values, and Decision Making
Surrounding Pregnancy
Anne Drapkin Lyerly, MD, MA, Lisa M. Mitchell, PhD, Elizabeth M. Armstrong, PhD, MPA,
Lisa H. Harris, MD, PhD, Rebecca Kukla, PhD, Miriam Kuppermann, PhD, MPH,
and Margaret Olivia Little, PhD"
There's no evidence either way to say if it's healthy or not to take Prozac. However, we know that maternal depression leads to poor child outcomes. I respect your decision!
918. happy mom of rockin' kid said:
You look absolutely wonderful. You might not feel that way, but you sure look that way.
I say, a happy momma is the best momma, so take the Prozac with pride. I was on Zoloft for the entire length of my pregnancy, and I now have one of the sweetest, happiest, giggliest (did I just make that word up?) babies around. Physically, yes, I also felt like shit most of the way, but emotionally? I was all good. And that made me not care too much about all the nausea and fatigue and stuff.
I had to take more meds after he was born because of some pretty severe PPD, ones I couldn't take and breastfeed, too. Did I beat myself up over that? Oh yeah. But it was realizing that statement I posted above about a happy momma, as well as a couple of posts you had written when you reached the same point, that made me realize that all my guilt was doing no one - least of all my son - any good. The posts were 4 or 5 years old by that point, but I still owe you a huge belated thank you.
919. Ame said:
As I was taking my Prozac this morning and counting down the days until my fiance's vasectomy reversal (10), I thought to myself, "I wonder if I'll be ready to go off of this stuff when we're ready to have a baby." I'm glad to know that I won't necessarily have to go off of it.
920. jennielynn said:
Thank you for saying that. It needs to be said and I mean it when I say I want to be you when I grow up. Purple tights and all.
921. Terri said:
You're pretty.
922. Catie said:
Heather,
As a junior in college who is frightened out of her mind about the future, wants to some day start a family, has possibly met the person she will start said family with which freaks her out to no end and has a very bad case of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Depression, you give me so much hope. I have finally, FINALLY found the dosage of Prozac that makes me able to be me. To smile and laugh and do all the things I want to do. People say that the medicine is bad, that's it's going to change you, make you someone else, but the Prozac makes me simply the best Catie I can be.
Thank you Heather. My love and support go out to you.
PS: Your bump is adorable and OMG YOU ARE SO TINY
923. welamom said:
And the damnable thing about that hair in the wrong place? It comes back in peri-menopause! Have you tried mint tea, or those small chocolate mint wafers? They were the only thing that worked for me when I was preggo.
This bump is showing up faster than Leta's because your body remembers this gig; it's played it before, and knows exactly how to settle in for the long haul.
You'll do fine on your meds. Your doctor's not an idiot, if she/he was, you wouldn't go to her/him.
I'm going to tell you the same thing I tell every pregnant lady I see: You are fine. Everything will be all right. Any discomforts you are currently experiencing will pass. Your delivery will be uneventful and the child you deliver will be the most beautiful baby in the World! Hang in there, Sweetie!
924. Anonymous said:
I just randomly found your blog and was so relieved when I read this post. The decision to stop taking prozac before I get pregnant is one I am facing right now. I know that when I quit taking it I become monstorous. It is good to know there is the possibility to stay on the medication during pregnancy and still be ok. I will definately take this up with my Dr. Thanks!
925. Claire said:
Congrats Heather. Thank you for your fab blog. I'm also pregnant following a miscarriage and I am so nervous as I have a scan on saturday. You fill me with hope that it will all be ok this time. I am so happy for you and wish you a healthy pregnancy. Congrats again! We all look forward to the next installment of bump watch...
926. Christine said:
I love how the ultrasound is made by "Siemens"
927. Anonymous said:
That's a bump? Girl, you skinny.
And awesome tone and message - no whining, just butt-kicking.
928. Tug said:
At least your bump contains a life form.
Mine is just the result of a few too many glasses of chocolate milk. :]
929. Heather said:
Yeah, I had people giving me a hard time about Zofran. Because me living on an iv and throwing up my own spit for nine months would be so great for the baby, apparently. I know someone whose mom says, also of Zofran, "The doctor thinks it would be even more detrimental to the baby's health if she died..."
Thanks for going public with this.
930. laura said:
Jane #910 - you may be very right...i hand't thought of it that way, even though i know many women who are either being helped with medication or suffering because they will 'tough it out' and i guess i'm just alarmed (not just from this post) at how many women this affects. More thought required.... but thank you again for your thoughts - it made me re-think a bit....
931. Streaming said:
hey,Jealous. And happy, but still jealous. I can't wait for the day when my bump watch begins. :)
932. Anneli said:
Congratulations on your baby! :D I admire you for doing what's right for you and your baby, and realizing that what other people on the internet says has no bearing whatsoever! :D
933. karen said:
I love your bump! And I have a great quote for ya!
I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Hope you have a great pregnancy
934. Beth said:
I am so freakin' happy for you and think you look wonderful! Best wishes for a happy and healthy 9 months.
I kinda like the name Jemaine Armstrong.
Are you going to find out the baby's sex?
935. Suz C said:
Hey, if a "guy" can have a baby these days, then I think Prozac during pregnancy is the least of our worries. Cheers & congrats - you're a very brave woman, Dooce!
-Suz
"3 Troopin' Travelers"
936. Anonymous said:
Heather,
I was in the same place as you not too long ago. Had major post partum after my second child, and found myself pregnant with a third, and was so scared. I made the opposite decision, thinking it would be better for my unborn baby if I wasn't on the meds. And I was very wrong...who knows, maybe if I'd stayed on my meds I wouldn't have lost my shit at around 12 weeks and spiralled so low to where my docs decided it was medically necessary for me to terminate my pregnancy...so for any other women out there...stay on your meds.
937. Karen in Mpls said:
I scanned many of these comments and I cannot tell you how disappointed I am that Tom Cruise didn't post a single word. I was so hoping. . .
938. Rissa said:
Thank you for using the word "skritchy". That just made my goddamn day!
939. Mommydawg said:
You keep doing your thing the best way you know how, woman! You look beautiful, you're a smart person, and you've got a lot of support out here on the interweb and in your own house from your wonderful husband. You've learned to not listen to the nay-sayers. We are PSYCHED for to meet this baby! Best of luck! xooxo
940. Anonymous said:
I love you Dooce... I am planning on getting pregnant soon and I have been taking zoloft for years. The doctors tell me that I must make my own decision and I am scared!! I am not asking for your opinion... I am just empathizing??? I think that I will stay on the meds, bc I know what I am like off meds. And I know that the health... physical and MENTAL... of the mother is so important. So, good on ya... take care of yourself... the mama. I cant wait to be the mama.
941. willikat said:
You rock.I am not facing any of these issues, but I feel like you're even supporting ME. That's how good you are. You're totally the friend that makes people feel better on a bad day.
942. Jaimie said:
The hater that used the word spawn cracked me up. Jesus, it's not like you're Satan. Or a salmon. People who are obsessed with hating you are envious. Simple as that. I know I've turned various shades of green reading you before ...
and then I read Under the Banner of Heaven. OMFG. I've never educated myself about Mormonism before, and probably wouldn't have except that I've become a Krakauer-phile. Why the Mormon faith isn't lumped in with other nutter belief systems as say, oh, Scientology, mystifies me. (And the university you attended?! Did you walk on the grass? Did that act of disobedience instill guilt?) It's amazing that you've created such a beautiful life for yourself and your family, and that you've achieved the kind of greatness that makes petty people target you with their misery and hate. You're the best kind of success story. Cheers to you! And congrats on the bump! I definitely see it.
And I thank you for educating me about antidepressants and pregnancy. I've been living under the belief that I can't ever become pregnant because that would mean no more Effexor for mommy, and life without it was like a living death. I'd no more take it away from me or anyone else who suffers from depression than I'd take insulin away from a diabetic.
Keep rocking on with your bad self. Your honesty and creativity inspire people like me to be authentic, to be unapologetically themselves. No bullshit.
943. Jim said:
I think it is probably most important that your kids have a functioning mom. We all have to deal with different problems from our parents. Your kids have to deal with your illness and the fact that you have to take meds. No one gets a perfect start. We all have to deal with something.
The worst thing would be for Leta and the new one to have a suicidal mom for a year. Not to mention the stress on your marriage and how that would affect the kids. Not to mention the real possibility that going off the meds might mean that there would be no mom available at all.
Whatever risk might be presented by the drugs is far outweighed by the risks that would be presented by an absence of the drugs. They don't get to choose their mother. You are the one they get, and they need to keep you. Part of that entails drugs in the bloodstream. Better that than no bloodstream at all.
944. Weezy said:
Yay for you, Heather. I stayed on Prozac throughout my pregnancy and after, and (scandal alert) I even breastfed! And my son is a perfectly healthy, dinosaur-obessesed five and a half year old boy. I wish you all the best with this pregnancy, and can't wait to hear more in the coming weeks and months.
945. chat sitesi said:
Hi , thank you for sharing the informations.
946. Anonymous said:
oh man, this is going to be the longest pregnancy in cyber-history
947. Tiffanie said:
Heather - I am VERY glad that I read this post as I was a concerned woman currently taking Prozac and wondering what to do if I ever got pregnant. I knew I would be an absolute mess if I stopped because off meds; I can hardly take the wave of hormones that just come monthly.
Since I emailed you about this burning question; it was nice to see it answered because it felt like you were talking to me and I appreciate that.
It also helps to see the TONS of comments from other women that have continued on Prozac and had successful births with happy, healthy children.
I feel much better about this decision when the time comes.
Thank you.
948. Susan said:
I can't believe people would actually say such stupid things but I'm sure they did. I admire your courage and hope you continue to do well.
949. Heide said:
My stomach is still bigger than your bump, and my kid is five! Congrats and good luck.
950. melissa said:
thank you. i *so* hated being pregnant. i was thrilled about the baby but the pregnancy part just sucked. my friends and family who were all "oh, i LOVED being pregnant" were lucky i didn't unleash those preggo hormones on them. to add insult to injury i got a bad (really bad) case of PUPPP (not a dog but the so-called "pregnancy rash") in the last two weeks of my pregnancy. so i was huge, hormonal, and covered from HEAD to TOE in the itchiest fucking rash EVER. miserable.
i have a beautiful son. he's three and a half. i love him more than anything on the planet. he is, and will remain, an only child.
951. Jenn C said:
Been there, done that. I suffered terrible perinatal depression with my second and my Dr. didn't want to put me on anything...it was the longest, most depressing 9 months of my life (and for the record my daughter has been miserable since she came screaming out of my woowho). When #3 came along my Dr. decided it was better for my health to remain medicated...aside from my son having a penis and being a total man, he's fine.
People forget that depression is an illness and like diabetics that take insulin daily to survive, some of us take anti-depressents daily to survive...and really our medical status is none of anyone else's business.
952. G-Ma said:
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I wanted to let you know that my daughter had a really really bad time with post partum depression after her first child was born. When she got pregnant the second time she tried to go without her meds (Prozac), but started spiraling downward into depression. Her OB/GYN told her that it wouldn't hurt the baby and to go back on it. She had to. She had a perfectly normal baby boy who will be one year old tomorrow. Since she was more prepared and knew what could possibly happen after delivery, things went more smoothly for her. She was able to immediately recognize the signs for what they were, and dealt with them very effectively. I think you will too--just wanted to send some encouragement. Best of luck to you and the family!
953. laura said:
Hi,
The most important thing is that YOU are healthy. Stay on prozac, your doctors know their stuff.
Cheers,
Laura
PS: don't listen to the dickwads.
954. Angela said:
Heather ... just wanted to chime in with my support. I stayed on zoloft during my pregnancy and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
I ended up with a happy, healthy boy ... and he ended up with a happy, healthy mom.
955. Karen said:
You know, one of the reason I went with Prozac (in the long line of meds I've taken) is that I don't have to get off it when I get pregnant.
Now I dont intend to get pregnant for a few years -- but you gotta think long term with this shit. I dont want to get off my meds ever. Ever ever ever. So I wanted one I wouldn't have to get off of.
I wonder if I'd have to drop my klonopin.... That might be worth adopting over.
956. Liz said:
Good on you for posting this. The more information there is out there about risk, and lack of it, and balancing the risk of *not* taking a drug against the risk of continuing to take it, the better. All the best and hope the morning sickness stops soon!
957. Jennifer said:
Do you think the sonogram company is named Siemans on purpose?
958. Lara said:
as we say back east,
"u doo whatchu gotta doo. everybody else shud up."
959. Michelle said:
I remember once how you said you read all the comments on your posts, so I thought I'd flip through a few myself to see if people were giving you shit on a private and agonizing decision. What I'm wondering is did you puke after the suggestion to eat your baby's placenta to put off PPD? I'm not even pregnant and I got queasy. I'm sure you've heard it before, but I cannot BELIEVE how nasty and brutal people can be. My admiration goes out to you, as ever.
960. Kristi said:
I was accused of trying to kill my baby by the idiot residents I saw during my first pregnancy. Was it because I was painting in enclosed rooms for days at a time? Drinking gallons of Vodka? No. It was because my bloodsugar (I'm diabetic) wasn't behaving like their books said it should. I survived, my son survived (healthy and brilliant, thank you very much), and I was much stronger for the next 3 pregnancies when I could just tell them, "I'm doing my best. I know my body and I've done this before. Have you?"
Congratulations. On both your pregnancy and your strength to do what you think is right.
961. jodi said:
heather,
i was on prozac with both of my pregnancies and have beautiful, healthy children. i'm know without a doubt that staying on my meds was the best thing i could do for them. i've lived life the other way ~ and it wasn't worth the risk.
best of luck to you!
962. Wendy said:
Yeah!!!!
I am so excited for you and Jon and Leta!!
I am proud of you-and know that you've got thousands of people riding shotgun in the humvee with you.
You're a brilliant mom and I can't wait for two monthly updates!
963. Anonymous said:
Thanks for standing up for us women who are taking or took an antidepressant during their pregnancy.
964. kat said:
congratulations!
i think leta deserves a little baby brother/ sister. :)
965. Maggie said:
Don't worry about the Prozac. Your baby will be fine and you'll be sane enough to be a good mom when he/she comes. I had wicked PPD with my first kid and am happy to say that it was much less severe with the second because I knew what to expect and had the meds handy when needed.
966. Anonymous said:
I know that you think you are really, really special and unique, but thousands upon thousands of women nationwide have taken an SSRI during their pregnancies. I'm not sure why you thought this was such a ground-breaking and shattering revelation.
967. BeachMama said:
I haven't stopped by in a bit, but I am so happy to hear that you are having another baby! Congratultions to you, Jon and Leta!
968. Summer said:
Just wanted to let you know that I took Lexapro all through my last pregnancy, and everything turned out just fine. I was WAY less moody and hormonal, so I got to keep my husband AND my friends for the entire 9 months. Definitely a perk!
Also, my daughter Chloe, who is now 7 weeks old is seriously the most calm laid back baby I've ever seen. It's such a big switch from my son who put me on the medicine to begin with!!! ;-) Not playing favorites though...of course.
Anyway, she is sleeping through the night already and was laughing and smiling at 4 weeks.
I thank Lexapro for making me and my baby happy. ;-) Enjoy every minute and every pill you get to swallow! Let them judge all they want. They can be miserable while we are happy, happy, happy!
Call me when your baby is sleeping through and we can laugh about it then!
Hugs...Summer
969. Stepiphany said:
Congratulations! You look beautiful. I know pregnant women hate to be told that they're glowing, but you are. You really are!
970. Shannon said:
Why can't people put their periods and commas INSIDE the quotation marks where they're suppose to be??
971. snooks said:
just wanted to let you know about a fantastic resource on the web:
http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/
I work in medical research, specifically studying what drugs are safe during pregnancy. The folks at this web site certainly know their stuff, so I just thought I'd pass it along!
A happy and healthy pregnancy to you! (I'm just a few weeks behind ya!)
972. marcie said:
I'm sure somewhere in these 1000+ comments it has already been said, but good God, please don't consume your placenta. That makes me want to barf, and I'm not pregnant!
973. Kristin said:
Congrats! I am due the last week in June with my first. (I'm 12 weeks this week). So exciting. Twins run in my fam and my hubby's. Our second appt is Fri -- I guess we will find out then if it's one or two ... or three or four ... ahhh!!!!! :)
974. Regan said:
I wholeheartedly agree with you. I took Prozac throughout my entire pregnancy and certain other anti-depressants well before I even conceived. I felt like, if I'm really stressed and very unhappy all of the time, then how on earth is that going to be good for my baby? And anyway, you shouldn't even have to explain yourself, but you do. I even took a certain migraine pill when I was pregnant, that the doc said could be harmful if taken in large doses, but for my sake, I could take it when needed. It was awesome because, I had the worst migraines known to man, but after only a few times of taking my meds, I didn't have them as often, and it was a HUGE relief among other pregnancy annoyances.
P.S. You look great! This is the first time I have ever commented so I also just want to say congrats!
975. Michelle said:
A post you did on depression over a year ago finally got me to my doctor's office. After years and years of depression, I am now on Wellbutrin. It doesn't take it all away, all the time, but it takes the edge off and I don't have any dark "episodes" now.
Also, I wanted to tell you that I had terrible postpartum depression with my first baby. It made me scared to have another one...for almost ten years! When I had my second baby, I didn't get any kind of depression at all. And this was before I went on Wellbutrin. So it's a possibility.
976. Tabby said:
I hope this doesn't come across as offensive (as I truly am just curious), but with all the medical concerns for potential mothers, why not prioritize adoption?
977. elisha said:
You've probably already heard about this, but I wanted to pass this on in case you hadn't. I've read quite a bit about taking Omega 3, both for the baby's brain development, and also because it's supposed to help in terms of possibly preventing postpartum depression. I'm almost 13 weeks pregnant myself and have been taking Nordic Naturals Prenatal Omega 3. Good luck with your pregnancy!!
978. Phyllis said:
I have been working in mental health settings for almost 30 years and I look forward to the day when questioning/challenging another person's psychiatric medication decisions is looked upon in the same way as questioning medication for diabetes or hypertention and glasses for nearsightedness. Most of the comments here have stuck with pretty mainstream treatments for depression, but there are women successfully controlling their health through combinations of mood stabilizers and antidepressants. I appreciate #971 Snooks recommending the Mass.General Women's Mental Health website. There are no guarantees in pregnancy no matter what we do or don't do; so each woman can weigh the risks/benefits of her own personal situation.
979. Freckle Face Girl said:
Congrats! Mothers should always do whatever they think is best & ignore everyone else. :)
980. Anonymous said:
Thank you for posting about this issue. For being brave enough to face it head on and say just because I have an illness does not mean I do not deserve everything in life. I am 32 and have suffered from depression since I was 15. I have been hospitalized 6 times all for suicide attempts. This last year I finally turned the corner. During all of this though I went to college, got married, got divorced, worked with children, advocated for the rights of the mentally ill and have been on numerous drugs. I love children. I have given up on having children. The fear is too great for me. But like you said that is MY DECISION. I know I would be a wonderful mother and I have a great support system if I needed help. It is a personal decision not to be taken lightly but to be made by no one other than the family involved. But thank you for showing what a hard issue it is for many of us to face. Sometimes seeing someone else do something you think you can't do makes you realize you really can do it - you just have to figure out a way...
981. Jessica :o) said:
Heather,
I'm so happy for you. Not just for the baby, but especially for so openly inviting negativity as being strong enough to brush it off!
I love your blog!
Jessica
982. Justin Razmus said:
My wife and I are at about 4 months (pregnant, her, not me!). Your site is great, and I can feel your excitement. This is our second, and we look forward to it. I hope all goes well for you now, and during the raising of your child!
983. Maestro said:
Love your belt in the second photo!
984. Camille said:
I've had food babies bigger than that.
:o)
So happy for you and your fam, Heather!
985. Vicky said:
Thank you...We're planning having children in a few years and I was terrified...when ever I have gone off my meds in the past I have tried to kill myself with in a month or two. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to enjoy my child or even be there...you gave me hope and I hope that you know that your words are helpful and encouraging to so many of us.
986. Anonymous said:
I love your site- have you seen puppiesandworms? They write about being a newlywed and a mom....interesting too
987. elizabethk said:
Blessings! I remained on an anti-d during the pregnancy of one of my children - saved my life, and he is JUST perfect. I really think if anything - epidurals/pitocin need to be looked at much more so than sanity providing meds.
988. SarahD said:
Clearly, I am behind on the curve and my blog reading. But today I stumbled across someone who mentioned Tertia was pregnant again, and I told my screen excitedly, "Shut up!!" and then I read on Tertia's site that you were pregnant again, and I squealed, "SHUT UP!!!!!"
And then I clicked on your site and found that my work had finally unblocked it, and realized I could visit you and your bump and Chuck with abandon again.
Best day ever.
Congrats!
989. elisa said:
Um, I just want to say that I look at your blog from time to time, you seem relatively normal, you seem like a great mom to your sweet kiddo, and I'm sure you'll be a great mom to baby #2 as well. I had postpartum depression with my first (untreated, because I did not realized that being overwhelmed by the thought of going outside to feed the cat was NOT normal), and am expecting my own #2. I know what you mean about knowing what to expect and feeling more prepared. Best wishes. Hope the nausea ends soon. :)
990. Paula Schmitt said:
Congrats Dooce! Love that baby bump ;)
991. Monkey said:
I'm slow to the party, but just wanted to say congrats!!
992. cinnarose said:
Love you, and I look forward to your pregnancy chronicles. I like vicariously through them (and others) on the internet rather than have my own. As far as the Prozac goes, if two doctors agree and you agree, everyone else should just shut up. But thank you for sharing, I agree that you may help someone else in the same situation not feel bad about doing what's best for them. Stupid internet people need to go away. That's all, and I hope things continue to go well for you and your family.
993. Haley said:
I was on meds throughout both my pregnancies. Motherisk will tell ANYONE that they BETTER stay on their meds while pregnant. And, good for you for coming out with this!
994. christiancounselor said:
The Welbutrin may not be harmful to the child, it would be a good idea to consult a Psychiatrist as opposed to just an OB, because OB's don't usually have any idea on this one. On the other hand, many times when women become pregnant, some forms of metal conditions become better, just for the duration of the pregnancy, so it might be possible to wean off until after the baby is born.
AH.
http://christiantherapy.webs.com/
995. Kim Priestap said:
I started taking prozac after my daughter was born. Actually I started 18 months after my daughter was born once I realized that all the insane screaming fits I had been having weren't normal. Anyway, I quit it when I became pregnant with my third and very-much-a-surprise baby. However, the depression really got bad in my third trimester, which is the most dangerous time to take anti-depressants. My OB said the same thing about prozac, by the way, which is that it's safe, but I was wasn't comfortable taking it. It can cause serious breathing issues for the baby. So, after doing some research I found that fish oil works very, very well fighting depression. Anyway, I took two 1000 mg of fish oil and in a matter of 24 hours, I felt the I-will-never-be happy-ever-again, get-me-out-of-here depression fog lift. It was miraculous. Really. I could have run around the neighborhood yelling Hallelujah but everyone in the small town in which I would have thought I needed a straight jacket. My sister-in-law noted a similar depression in here third trimester as well, and after recommending fish oil to her, she felt the same positive reaction very quickly as well.
Anyway, I offer this just as some information you may not have known, not out of any need to lecture you. Good luck with your pregnancy, and I hope you are able to get as much rest as possible before your little one arrives.
996. Mary said:
I read your blog occasionally but haven't for a while but was happy to read that you are pregnant! Congrats to you and your family.
I'm preggo too! I'm at my 15th or 16th weekish. I don't keep track too closely. heh. I never even took pictures of my baby bump. Luckily, I haven't had any morning sickness with my pregnancies.
Anyway, wishing you a happy new year and a safe pregnancy!