antidepressants during pregnancy any one had sertraline? (lustral)

[talktalktalk]

i recently found out i'm expecting, this is my 3rd pregnancy and this time instead of going insane i'v decided with doc's reassurance to stay on my meds. at the momant i'm taking 25 mg of sertraline every other day, i'v been taking sertraline for 5 years now and the doc advised it's better to saty on what we know works. i was just wondering if anyone has already tryed this during pregnancy and if there where any effects on the baby? xx

[Zwitterion]

This is really timely for me! I'm currently 6 weeks or so pregnant and really struggling. I've been on and off sertraline for OCD and anxiety for the last 15 years. Was not on it when I conceived DD, had a relapse and started taking it again at 12 weeks.

I came off it about 6 months ago, but I am now seriously struggling with a return of symptoms and looking after DD (19 months), plus all the usual first trimester stuff.

Went to see GP yesterday and am expecting a call from my psychiatrist this morning. I'm fully expecting to be advised to start taking it again.

There will never be any conclusive proof either way about the use of sertraline in pregnancy for ethical reasons. I'm very worried about taking it so early on, but the alternative I just can't contemplate.

Good luck, let me know how you get on!

[Zwitterion]

Congratulations too!

And 25mg every other day is very low - I'll be on at least 50 per day I think.

[Zwitterion]

Me again - as I said above I took sertraline from 12 weeks with DD. She's fine. No withdrawal at birth, no breastfeeding problems, no respiratory issues. She's now a happy healthy toddler.

[talktalktalk]

congrats to you to :) my doc said benifits over risks with the meds,i came off when we decided to try for another one but only lasted a couple of months befor going back on. i'm on the lowest dose possable and again i was told as it's such a small amout it shouldn't have much effect on baby. it's just worrying to think it could harm it and i'v alway's stipped anything with risk attatched to it in my past pregnancys ( stoped smoking,drinking and lowered coffee intake) let me know how you get on and if you get your meds back..... relaps is hard to deal with,but you'v done it befor and i'm sure you can do it again. xx

[LawrieMarlow]

I took sertraline while pregnant with DD - I started taking it at 12 weeks (had been on citalopram when I got pregnant and stopped immediately in panic which was a bad idea).
Started at 50mg/day and went up to 100mg after a couple of weeks. Was definitely the right decision. DD now nearly 6 and lovely :)

[emlim]

I took 50mg of sertraline from around 7 months of preganacy with my DS1, was a very difficult descision at the time to make but now he is nearly 8, normal, healthy and developing in every way he should. Also breast fed him on it for 9 months and he had no problems as a baby. Very best of luck with it all. x

[talktalktalk]

thank you so much, you wouldn't believe how much that has helped me feel better :) it may be the hormones but knowing you have taken during pregnancy and have happy healthy children has brought a tear to my eye :) i shall stop stressing about it so much and just enjoy my morning sickness :P
xx