AD's in 3rd trimester- Feeling guilty :(

[PetitDiable]

Yesterday, I started 50mg sertraline. An hour after taking my first tablet, I threw up and felt restless for the rest of the day.

I'm 33 weeks and I've looked online and in the little booklet that comes with the drugs and now I'm worried. I found stuff on the 3rd trimester and how it can cause breathing problems when baby is born and that there's not a lot of research on the long term effects to the baby. I'm absolutely terrified that I may be harming the baby, but I felt like I had to take my second pill so I don't end up losing my mind or doing something to harm myself.
I don't know what to do. Continue the drugs and possibly harm baby or suffer everyday until baby is born?

Firstly, have some hugs, it sounds like you need them. I know it's difficult but please try not to panic. Sometimes you need to put yourself before the baby and if you aren't well then you need to do what you can to make yourself better and if that means taking antidepressants that will help then you need to do it. It is scary but the reason there isn't much research about medication during pregnancy is because of the ethics around the testing as far as I am aware. The tablets may cause absolutely no harm to your baby but because it's not as acceptable to carry out drug trials on pregnant women it's hard for doctors to say "don't worry, it will all be fine". If you're really worried you could ring your GP or midwife but if you think you need to take the tablets to keep from harming yourself then please take them.

Hi Petit,

Try not to panic - I second what Clara has said and as a Sertraline user myself who is TTC, I have had many discussions with my GP (and a private specialist for reassurance) who have both said that the risk to the baby is small and that all evidence suggests the harm is greater if the mother is struggling while pregnant with depression or anxiety.

I am sure there will be others who have experienced the same concerns but who can perhaps offer reassurance - I know I have researched this and found many reassuring stories from pregnant women on ADs.

From a practical standpoint, if you do decide to continue taking the medication, maybe try halving the dose to 25mg to take for a few days and then build up to 50mg?

I started (and remained) on a daily dose of 50mg but took 25mg for the first few weeks to reduce side effects (which were really just some nausea).

Try to be kind to yourself, try to eat something small with your tablet (I found eating something and taking the tablet first thing was best for me but some people prefer taking them at night) x

I had my second dc while I was on sertraline. She was conceived on it and I carried on through the pregnancy.

I'm pleased to report she is completely ok. No withdrawal or breathing issues. She's was a normal baby and is now a very normal active toddler!

Please remember that guilt is part of the illness! It's not necessary and taking AD's now if you need them is a very sensible thing to do.