Tranquillisers during pregnancy

Can you take tranquillisers during pregnancy?

Excessive medication should generally be avoided during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. However, there are situations in which it is necessary to take medication. In such a situation, this should always be done in consultation with your doctor.

The medication that some expectant mothers take also includes psychotropic drugs – antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication. If a woman has already been treated before pregnancy, it is important to check with a specialist that the existing treatment is safe for the development of the foetus. It is best to do this while still trying to get pregnant. It is also never advisable to suddenly stop a previously used treatment. In many cases, if the expectant mother has already been taking psychotropic drugs, there is a much greater risk that the symptoms will worsen than that they will be of any benefit.

How do you choose tranquillisers during pregnancy?

Tranquillisers or anti-anxiety medication should be prescribed by a psychiatrist. Nowadays there are psychotropic drugs, both antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication, which can be used safely during pregnancy. If the expectant mother is struggling with an anxiety neurosis or anxiety disorder, it is advisable to first undergo psychotherapy to alleviate the existing symptoms. Its effectiveness is comparable to that of pharmacological treatment and should therefore be the first choice. In some cases, pharmacotherapy may be necessary, e.g. with benzodiazepines (usually lorazepam in pregnancy). However, these drugs should not be taken for longer than 4 weeks. Another group of medications used for neurotic disorders are antidepressants. Fluoxetine, sertraline or escitalopram are most commonly used during pregnancy.

Treatment methods for anxiety during pregnancy

During pregnancy, there are many situations that trigger anxiety and stress in expectant mothers. If the symptoms are caused by new events, pharmacotherapy and a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder can be avoided. However, this diagnosis should be made by a psychiatrist.

If the expectant mother is excessively anxious, methods such as yoga, breathing exercises or an appropriate amount of lemon balm tea are recommended. Sufficient sleep and rest are also very important. However, these methods are only effective for people with mild anxiety and without a previous diagnosis of anxiety neurosis, which can worsen during pregnancy and require pharmacotherapy.

What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders during pregnancy?

In anxiety disorders, other somatic symptoms occur in addition to the perceived anxiety, stressful thoughts or concentration difficulties. The most common include:

• a feeling of palpitations
• shaky hands
• Abdominal pain
• Sweating
• Sleep problems

If symptoms occur, it is advisable to consult your gynaecologist, who may refer the patient for psychiatric counselling or psychotherapy. If the symptoms worsen and make it difficult to cope with everyday life, you should not hesitate to consult a specialist.