Sertraline and pregnancy?

[mumofone25]

Has anybody taking sertraline in pregnancy? I’m almost 14 weeks pregnant and was advised by doctor to wean off it over a period of two weeks when I first found it. Roll on to now and I am completely struggling. I need some help! The midwife mentioned that you could take sertraline but the baby has to be monitored after the birth due to withdrawals? This is the part that scares me.

[mumofone25]

Apology’s for the awful grammar! I’ll blame auto correct for that!

[TremoloGreen]

I took it in pregnancy up to 5 months but then stopped as I had such dreadful nausea - interaction of the drug and pregnancy. I went a bit loopy off medication and was given something else (mirtazepine I think) for the remainder of the pregnancy and first six months pst-natal then I transitioned back as I was starting to feel depressed and low on energy.

This was 3 years ago now but no-one said anything to me at the time about extra monitoring (as long as all scans were fine). Just to weigh up the very unlikely but serious risks to the baby (cardiac development) against the very likely risk to me (and the baby) of major anxiety. Doctors opinions differ, but the psychiatrist and the one GP who knew me well counselled me to continue with sertraline.

If I were you, I would go back to the doctors, tell them how you are struggling and see if they can put you back on sertraline or on something else that they do think is suitable for pregnancy. I don't know how serious your depression and/or anxiety is, but being unmedicated does not work for me or my family at all (severe anxiety and ADD but cope very well on a high dose of sertraline).

[Bella245]

I am on Sertraline. Am 19 weeks and have been since 13 weeks on it. I got very bad depression and my PTSD symptoms were very bad. I saw a psychiatrist that specialises in pregnancy mental health and he reassured me that the risk is very low and its better for me and the baby to be mentally ok. My hospital offers maternity mental health services. Also the psychiatrist told me that withdrawal symptoms if they happen are not harmful for the baby and settle down in few days. Yes may need monitoring for a few days after birth. Hope that helps?

[TreesoftheField]

Hi.
I had previously taken it but come off about 2 months before getting pregnant.
By 19 weeks my depression had worsened significantly. I was under consultant anyway due to mental health and the leaflet given to me terrified me - my first baby was in NICU after birth and think I was worried about baby reacting to sertraline.
Eventually had a bit of a breakdown. Lovely mental health midwife said 'Look, I've never heard of a baby going into special care because of Sertraline" and I realised as I was constantly thinking about self harm that it was the best option.
It took 6 weeks to kick in and it was a total life changer. I could start to look forward to the baby. I did have to stay in for 24 hours overnight but I was in a special bay and was really well looked after. Baby has been totally fine and we came home the day after.

Mental health support in pregnancy seems to have greatly improved, I had a support worker and lots of extra support offered.
Wishing you all the best. I've decided to stay on it for now. Thought of returning to way things were is unbearable.

[mumofone25]

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your story and comment on my post. I’ve been to the doctors and I am back on the sertraline. Fingers crossed to feeling better in a few weeks!

[Orangesandlemons82]

Yes! I was under the perinatal mental health team and took it through whole of my pregnancy (200mg) and then when breast feeding. My daughter was fine and I was able to cope!

[worried77]

No advice OP, but I’m interested as I’m struggling with my mental health at the moment and my midwife has suggested medication for it (which i suspect would be Sertraline or similar). She said that the baby’s breathing would need to be monitored for 12 hours after birth, but I don’t know why that is.

Does anyone know if ADs affect breastfeeding? Sorry it derail.

Hope you feel better OP

[mumofone25]

@Orangesandlemons82 that’s brilliant. Thank you!
@worried77 please go and see your GP. The doctor said to me that there is no evidence that it can damage the development of the baby but yes the baby needs to be monitored after birth. It’s hard deciding what to do for the best.

[Bella245]

The main concern with Sertraline is persistent pulmonary hypertension at birth. You can not assess for it during pregnancy. It is also extremely rare. Persistant pulmonary hypertension can happen even in the absence of Sertraline. Like everything one can only do so much, the rest is just luck and chance. My friend who is a paediatric cardiologist said he has only seen 1 case in 15 years. There are risk to the baby if the mother is depressed/stressed/anxious. Please ladies seek help! I was going to slit my wrists at some point during early pregnancy. I am a lot better now. I also know a girl who committed suicide soon after the baby was born. Clearly severe PND. As far as breastfeeding is concerned my psychiatrist told me that the exposure to the baby through the milk is minimal, less than the exposure in uteru. Hope it helps.