I'm sorry, Cass.

Six hours, Toddson? Every month? That seems a trifle insane.

How do you come out of a six-hour meeting with any brain function?

Six hours ... when it isn't more (shudder). A friend described it as the Bataan Death March of meetings ... which pretty well fits how we feel at the end.

ETA: I come to the Buffistas ... although not having any brain function does deter zombies.

As someone who did a lot of research into antidepressants, pregnancy and breastfeeding, let me first say that there's not a lot of research out there, since it's unethical to do randomized control studies on pregnant or breastfeeding women. So the research that's done is after the fact, asking women who've been on an AD for their pregnancy about their experiences. Second, that you should consult a psychiatrist who has experience treating pregnant or breastfeeding women, or is willing to do her homework.

New studies aside, what I learned at the time I was pregnant with Casper (3 years ago now) was that most people consider Prozac to be the safest AD when taken in pregnancy, since it's been in use the longest and the anecdotal data would have already shown up any serious or widespread problems (like major birth defects). Other SSRIs were believed to be much like Prozac, but had been in use for shorter time frames. SSRIs were (and are) in general known to bring higher risk of some things like low birth weight in the baby. However, maternal depression was also believed to cause low birth weight, so it's six of one, half dozen of the other. There was some discussion about withdrawal symptoms (including agitation, and I wonder, how would they tell?!) in newborns, but I haven't read that particular study (I stayed on Prozac, which is expressed in breast milk, so no possibility withdrawal at birth for Casper.)

For breastfeeding, there are several SSRIs that are not expressed in breast milk (this is pretty easy to test ethically - take some milk and test it for the chemicals). So if you are breastfeeding and need to be on an AD, there are some that will not affect your child at all. Prozac isn't one of them; I don't know off-hand which are which, though.

Oh, Cass. I'm sorry.

Can I have waffles instead, Gud?

About halfway through a six-hour staff meeting, my head would have exploded. I hope there was coffee and snacks.

They provide lunch ... bad Chinese food ... and soft drinks, coffee, water. I'm working on how to sleep with my eyes open.

Can I have waffles instead, Gud?

Alas, I have no waffle iron.

{{Cass}} Always

Happy Birthday Maidengurl! May this year be about a billion times more fun than the last.

Perkin's flight is delayed about 1-1/2 hours. Boo. But even if she gets to Casa Holt at 11 tonight her body is gonna think it is only 8. Party!

6 hours of meetings in 6 months is about as much as I'd like.

Toodson needs a Blackberry, so she can post from meetings like ita.

I'm sorry for your and your mother's loss, Cass.

Um, depression in pregnancy and after is sort of a pet topic for me. In case you couldn't figure that out. I worry that many women don't get treated because they are so afraid of taking medication that will affect the child. The baby matters, a great deal, but mothers' sanity matters too.

Ugh. I hate me today.

That is all.