Sertraline when ttc

[Newchapter2020]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has conceived whilst on sertraline. Currently on 50mg, but I'm seeing things online that says it could cause heart problems for the developing baby. I'm not pregnant but I will be trying soon. Thanks

Hi - I'm on Sertraline 50mg and after TTC for 9 months, I got my BFP last week. Before we began TTC, I discussed all my meds with my GP and decided to stay on it. I'd definitely recommend talking to your doctor about it. Good luck!

Prob best to speak to your GP about this, OP. It's fairly straight forward to get a consultation over the phone at the moment.

I've no idea about sertraline but I was on another anti depressant when I conceived and was told it was fine to TTC on it.

I came off it once I was pregnant (my own choice) and that was very hard. On reflection it may have been better to stay on them when pregnant. Some women do take their meds all the way through their pregnancy. You have to weigh up the risks vs benefits and what you feel comfortable with.

Wishing you all the best!

@Wearenotyourkind congratulations!

Thank you! @pinkpinecone

@Wearenotyourkind congratulations! Thanks, I wasn't too sure if I could actually speak to my doctor as it's not exactly an emergency, but I think I should just check.

Watching this with interest OP. I'm also on this and although not ttc yet, it's been on my mind for when the time comes. I think being as chilled as possible when ttc is important (to me) and so would likely be best for me to remain on medication but I'd like some reassurance and others positive experiences too.
Hope you can find some answers too OP.

Yes and had 3 pregnancies and subsequent children whilst taking it with no problems.

It’s the safest AD to take whilst pregnant apparently

can i ask the same question from a different angle.
My partner has just started on Sertraline (2.5 weeks on it).
I have read the side affects and am worried this may affect our ability to conceive. My partners mental health is my priority and i don't want to add pressure of TTC if it is likely to be an issue while on it anyway.
Any success when the DH is on Sertraline?

Following this!
I am on 100mg and we are going to ttc next year, so this has been on my mind for when the time is right and whether I will have to wean myself off!

Sertraline taker here 🙋🏼‍♀️ Many many years on it as I have OCD. (100mg)
My other half is also prescribed Sertraline and has been on the medication for many years. (50mg)

We had no issues when trying to conceive, both times within 3 cycles.

Foctor advised the most important thing for baby is for Mama to be happy, content and stress free!!!

We have 2 boys, 5 and 2 and are currently TTC number 3.

The only difference in comparison to non Sertraline Mummys is having to stay in hospital for 48 hours after giving birth. Just a precaution to make sure bubba is ok. (Just a pain when others are departing 6 hours later)

Never had any issues.

I did have a few midwives comment how placid and content both my boys were 🤭🙈 - Whether that was a coincidence or not I don't know? 🤣

Hope that's helped 💕

*Doctor 🙄

@Kona84 my husband is on 100mg of sertraline, at first he was on 50mg but had to raise it. Whilst raising it was really tough and we have ttc a 6 month break. He was really struggling with the symptoms and also felt he couldn't get an erection, he could it was all psychological but I didn't want him to dwell on it hence stopping ttc. 8 months on we are back to trying and he's the best version of himself I've seen in a long while. I would definitely give it time to adjust to the dose, we haven't caught yet but I suspect that's due to not knowing 100% when we were ovulating. We are using the clear blue advanced digital now. I've had 19 cycles since we started this journey but hubs has only been on sertraline for about 12 months of that. Hope that helps xx

@hayho87 thanks that is reassuring.
I know that getting pregnant now wouldn’t be in his best interests mentally. Glad there may be some light at the end of the tunnel

@CJKennedy that's reassuring to know. It's a personal question, so feel free to ignore, obviously if you didn't want to it's fine, bit did or were you able to breastfeed your babies, as some it it will go through the milk?
Did you have to stay in longer incase they had withdrawal symptoms? It's something I've read online

I was on 100mg of sertraline for anxiety, mild to moderate depression and I was/am a serious catastrophiser. My GP said no issues being on it as it was really helping me but advised to reduce my dose to 50mg if I could.

Anyway after 6 months TTC and getting no-where I'd course the worrier in me read that it can effect your fertility so slowly weaned off and have been off 2 months feel fantastic and if I'm honest, no different than being on it! Maybe a little less patience and I cry at silly things like cute dogs but hey ho I can deal with that 😂😂

Your GP might be able to get you a telephone consultation to discuss but generally the consensus is that it's fine, with very very slightly increase chances of an issue with the baby. I was also told I would be consultant lead rather than midwife, that is the only difference

@Wearenotyourkind I've seen you on other threads - huge huge congratulations lovely!!! 💕💕

Sorry forgot to add, you can also breastfeed on it and I also asked my GP about withdrawal symptoms and he said very very uncommon

Thank you so much @Beau20 I remember you from the short LP thread. I never did get mine longer than 8 days 💗

Sertraline is perfectly safe to take when TTC, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. I had this confirmed by my psychiatrist, my fertility clinic and, during pregnancy, the consultant and the perinatal mental health team. It's also not a requirement that you stay in hospital for 48 hours as pp said - I had a c section and was out in 24 hours despite being on the max dose of sertraline. My DS was a bit quiet when he came out and I later asked the consultant of that was because of the sertraline and they confirmed it absolutely wasn't, most likely it was just the shock of his entrance into the world. Lots and lots of people are on it while TTC and during pregnancy and it's really no big deal at all.

@Newchapter2020 no problem, able to breastfeed, midwives doctors all said it wasn't an issue.
Yes I was told i had to stay in for 48 hours for that very reason, they keep an eye out incase there is a chance of any withdrawal symptoms so observations were done at regular intervals.
I actually wanted a home birth with my second but was advised a hospital birth would be better due to the above reasons.
My boys were born 2014 & 2017, not sure if things have changed re staying in. But that was what I was told on both occasions.
But neither had any issues at all.
Best of luck 👶

I’m on the same dose as you and talked in depth about not wanting to come off mine to get pregnant because I know it’s the meds keeping me right. Thankfully, sertraline is one that is safe to try for a baby on and to remain on during the pregnancy and breastfeeding. Of course there is a risk with everything but there hasn’t been any evidence showing birth defects etc from anti depressants. I was extra worried because our second has heart issues and I was worried about trying for another while medicated. I think it’s safer (for me) to stay on the meds rather than coming off and being stressed which we know is harmful for the baby.

I've just across this thread & it's a very reassuring read! I've just increased my dose of sertraline to 100mg. I still long for another child if/when the time is right but don't think I could do it without ADs. Now I feel like I still have a chance!

@anxietrist 💗