Sertraline and pregnancy ?

[Longesthello]

I have a 16 month old and have been struggling quite badly since he was born, no family help, husband works away, it’s been pretty tough. I’ve not felt myself for a long time now but I guess I was coping ok on a day to day basis.
I unexpectedly fount out I was pregnant which really sent me into a spiral. No idea how I’ll manage another child, I found the newborn phase hell - breastfeeding was awful. I’ve been in a constant state of panic and anxiety since I found out.
Eventually DH convinced me to go to doctor, they’ve basically diagnosed me with PND. Suppose I’m not surprised by this.
They’ve offered Sertraline straight away as an immediate fix. I’m really wary of taking this when pregnant, I’ve read about heart defects and possible symptoms of withdrawal for baby when born which horrifies me. The doctor has basically jumped straight to medication and not really recommended any other treatment.

I guess I’m just trying to find out from anyone if they’ve been in similar position of have any experience of this. It’s killing me having to make a decision like this, the thought of taking the medication while pregnant is making me ill but I also know I can’t go on like this for much longer and also worried about how I’ll cope in newborn period if I just leave it how it is.

It is the most common prescribed in pregnancy as it is the safest, as it has the most evidence. I work for the perinatal team and it is first line prescription from our pscyhiatrists and a lot of us took it through our own pregnancies. X

I took it with all 3 pregnancies, no issues

You can ask your GP to refer you to your perinatal team if you feel you are moderately to severely unwell - they will offer an assessment and if you don't meet thresholds then they will still signpost x

I started taking it at about 10 weeks along. Dr read me the guidance and helped me make an informed decision. They didn’t say anything about withdrawal but did say lots of women take sertraline in pregnancy. For me, I had to take it (albeit a low dose and I was on it pre pregnancy but stopped it as soon as I found out) as it was either that or spend the rest of my pregnancy weeping and anxious so I made the decision to take it. No known heart defects in my case and I’m now 37 weeks. In my case I figured it was better for baby (and DH) to have me on an even keel for the rest of pregnancy but everyone is different. 50mg has taken the edge off for me (I was on 100mg pre pregnancy).

I took it with from end of the first trimester with my son and continued until he was long done with breastfeeding. I was told it was perfectly safe. I was told he may be a bit grisly for a few days when he was born as it worked its way out his system but that never happened, he was such a chill baby. I can’t recommend the perinatal mental health team enough as they supported me through my pregnancy. So do reach out to them/get your GP to refer you. DS is now 2.5 years old and absolutely fine, no side effects whatsoever.

Hi OP. I took it through both my pregnancies. I have a background in science so I did some research into this just to be sure. There is no good evidence to show a link between sertraline and heart defects. You will be fine. The risk to baby from your poor mental health if you stopped sertraline would be far greater than heart defects from sertraline that probably don't exist.

Similar to you I had late onset PND after my first when she was about 8mths old. Was put on Venlafaxine which pretty much saved my life. Stayed on them, gradually reducing the dose for many years as when I tried to come off I just couldn’t cope. When I fell pregnant with my second, I spoke to my GP who recommended Sertraline. I wanted to try and come off for the pregnancy but again it affected my mental health too much and GP said it’s safer all round for me to be on them. DD2 is now 3 and I’ve never had any issues or abnormalities whatsoever. Good luck with everything OP x

https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/leaflets-a-z/sertraline/

BUMPS is a very well regarded (by NHS/medical professionals) website offering evidence based advice on medications in pregnancy. Worth a read.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply.

Can I just ask for those of you who have been on / are on sertraline was it difficult when you first went onto it?
The doctor told me the first few weeks would get worse before I felt better which has also put me off because I don’t think I could cope with feeling any worse.

The doctor did mention the perinatal mental health team however she said I didn’t meet the criteria to be referred to them yet.

I'm currently 16 weeks pregnant and been on sertraline from before I found out. Had 6 scans so far and no problems! Gp said it's the safest in pregnancy and so did my midwife.

When I first started it I had terrible insomnia though. Like really bad! Calmed down after about a month.

The first 3 weeks are tough but then it starts to get much better and for me it was life changing. You just have to hold on in there.

I was put on it after dd1 was born, breastfed her then took it all through pregnancy and breastfeeding ds and dd2. And for years afterwards!

Dc now 24, 22 and 20, no issues whatsoever except having had a mum with many fewer symptoms of depression than otherwise!!

Hi there, I am 30 weeks pregnant. I had been on a high dose of Sertraline prior to getting pregnant (pretty much the highest dose you can be on!) I came off at the start of my pregnancy until about 20 weeks. As I had been feeling ok for many years- now I realise this was obviously due to the sertraline- I really believed it was the right decision to come off it. It was a disaster. I effectively had a break down. Honestly, I would rather not be on it but I have spoken to many (around 10!) health professionals including the clinical psychologist I have been under for around 13 years, an obs and gyne consultant, various midwives/ drs etc and they have assured me that it is safe. I have had many scans at my hospital and have had absolutely nothing flagged up for the heart. As someone who was extremely sceptical about being on them during pregnancy, I do believe that they are a safe option and the cortisol levels produced without them are more detrimental to the pregnancy. It's also super important that we are in the best mental headspace when the baby is born so starting whilst pregnant makes sense! It's taken me a while to get to this place but I want to assure you that you are not alone! Pregnancy is really tough. I did feel nauseous for a couple of weeks when I went back on them but it did pass quickly xx

Hi there! ❤️ I can really feel how overwhelming this must be for you, especially with everything you’re carrying on your own. What you’re describing sounds incredibly tough, and it’s understandable that the news of another pregnancy has triggered so much anxiety and fear. Many women in similar situations have felt the same uncertainty about starting medication during pregnancy, so you’re definitely not alone in these worries. It’s a big decision, and it’s okay to take your time to gather experiences and weigh things carefully.

I’ve personally been taking Zoloft (Sertraline) for quite a while now due to persistent anxiety and panic episodes that started after a stressful period in my life. It’s made a huge difference for me — it really stabilized my mood, reduced the intensity of anxious thoughts, and helped me feel more like myself again. I take it daily in a low, steady dose, and over time it’s been genuinely life-changing. By the way, I always order my Zoloft from this trusted pharmacy: 🔗healway.co.uk/sertraline-zoloft. The quality has always been excellent, delivery is fast, and it’s been super convenient.

You don't have to continue with the pregnancy if you're spiralling and don't think you'll cope. There's no shame in it. Then you can take your medication safely and get well with just the one child for now.

Hello, not really sure where to start but would anyone know where i could get some more information on taking setraline through pregnancy and now having children with severe SEN???? I have 4 children 3 of which I took sertraline throughout pregnancy who all have severe SEN and the only child I didn't take it with while pregnant does not have SEN, was just wondering id anyone had seen or read anything in regards to this or feels they are in the same boat as me? TIA