- I had very severe postpartum depression with my first child and was hospitalized. I'm pregnant again; could it happen again?
- Can you give me any advice on how to stay emotionally stable during the fertility treatment process?
- I've been taking antidepressants for two years. If I want to get pregnant, do I have to stop taking the medication?
- I've been trying to get pregnant for a long time, and now that I am, I'm feeling anxious and worried. I'd like to enjoy this moment, but I can't. What can I do?
- I've heard that women with schizophrenia can't be mothers. Is that true?
- I have bipolar disorder and I want to be a mother, but I have many doubts. What things do I need to consider?
- I'm a first-time mother and had a very difficult delivery. Since then, I've been having recurring nightmares. I want to have more children, but I'm afraid I won't be able to cope with this situation. What do you recommend?
- How can I tell if I have postpartum depression?
- I recently became a mother and sometimes I burst into tears for no reason. Is this normal? Is it depression?
- We recently became parents, and I've noticed my partner seems sad and withdrawn. I'm afraid she might have postpartum depression. What can we, as a family, do to prevent it?
- Do I have to stop breastfeeding if I take medication for anxiety?
- I have a one-and-a-half-month-old baby and sometimes I don't feel the emotional bond that mothers are supposed to feel. Is this normal?
- I've always had a lot of anxiety. What can I do to keep it under control during my pregnancy?
- I'm in the first few weeks postpartum and I'm experiencing anxiety. How can I manage it, especially with visitors?
- I have a baby with special needs and I'm so tired and overwhelmed I feel like I'm going to explode. What can I do?
- Since becoming a mother, I haven't been feeling well: everything makes me anxious, I feel sad, I don't think I'll be a good mother, and I often argue with my partner. Where can I ask for help?
- I had depression and now I'm pregnant. Could breastfeeding be a protective factor against a possible relapse?
Do I have to stop breastfeeding if I take medication for anxiety?
You don't have to stop breastfeeding, even if you're taking medication. Many medications don't pass into breast milk and therefore don't reach your baby, making them completely safe (for example, escitalopram or lorazepam). When the mother is breastfeeding, it's important that she remains calm so the baby can also relax and feel comfortable with her. Therefore, if the mother needs it, it's preferable for her to take medication to manage anxiety or depression, as this doesn't affect the baby and allows them to interact more relaxed during breastfeeding. If you're taking any medication and want to breastfeed, discuss it with your doctor, who will advise you on whether you can continue taking it or if you need to switch to another medication that doesn't pass into breast milk.
