TTC #2 but husband on antidepressants

[AnnaD1983]

Hi all, I’m new here but have been struggling for over a year with TTC a second baby and dealing with my husband’s depression, and was hoping I might get some help here. My husband has no libido, but will TTC about once a month (but not always) as he knows I want a baby, but then he can’t “finish off” when we do try. I’ve asked if he’ll try giving me a sample so I can do self-insemination, but he won’t agree to it. As well as lack of libido, he says his medication (SSRI called sertraline) seems to make him produce less sperm and make him feel a bit ‘numb’. I don’t know what to do. My daughter was 3 in July and I’m worried the age gap will be too big by the time we conceive. All the mums I know from having my daughter have second kids and I feel so sad about it. Every month that passes feels like another wasted opportunity.

Does anyone have a similar experience or any advice? Can anyone offer reassurance that a big age gap between siblings doesn’t matter? I have 5 years between me and my younger brother and always felt it made it hard for us to get on.

Really grateful for any advice or support. Thanks all xx

I'd just be supporting my DP mental health at this point.

Hi, I don't really have much advice but I'm also trying to conceive baby number 2 with a husband on sertraline - 100mg. My DS is 6 so much bigger age gap than you - which I am getting worried about.
My husband doesn't have any issues with sex luckily but maybe that's because he is taking it for anxiety and not depression. I'm not sure.
I have been TTC for 5 months now and nothing I've read a bit about it and found studies that say it basically can reduce sperm count to zero which I'm really worried about. It's meant to correct itself 3 months after you've stopped taking it but obviously it would take a while to come off it, and I'm not sure he's ready.
Hoping someone will come along and give a positive story! X

Just read @MarthasGinYard reply and if your husband is still struggling that might be the best idea. I don't think it's much of an age gap at all and he may need a while to settle on the tablets. My DH has been on them 3 years and he's probably been back to his normal self for 2 years now

Thanks for sharing your story @Lavenderlove. Hopefully it will happen for you soon. I can’t even work out if we have any fertility issues as I can’t get my eggs and his sperm to get together.
I am supporting my husband, I didn’t mean to make it sound like I’m not. He was on sertraline for over 2 years, stopped taking it in January, but came back on it a few months ago.
Maybe people will read this and think I’m being selfish, but I do a lot to support him, and this is the only thing I’m asking for. And he does want another child too.

Are you sure that this is what he wants. I just ask because if it isn't, he may find it hard to finish as there is a mental block there. Add that to the fact that he is not willing to try giving you a sample, I would be starting to think he has changed his mind.

My DH also takes some form of SSRI; I have breathed the subject to him yesterday; and he’s agreed to book an appointment with the hope of weaning off then(he really feels he can manage now without them) and to see if he can get a sperm analysis done

However I’ve heard lots of people telling me they have got pregnant while both being in these type of tablets so I think time will tell for us.