Is sertraline really safe during pregnancy?

[Sparklythings1]

I’m a teacher and my work makes me really anxious. I take propranolol for panic attacks, particularly before meetings etc. I’ve considered handing in my notice just to stop the constant anxiety, especially since I’m hoping to be pregnant and propranolol doesn’t seem to be advised. Obviously if I hand in my notice I will lose out on months of wages plus maternity leave which isn’t ideal 😞 I really didn’t want to risk taking an antidepressant while pregnant as I’ve seen mixed findings about the risks, did anyone have a positive experience with it?

I have taken it for 10 years, through two pregnancies, on the recommendation of my dr. No problems here - I think it is about weighing up risk.

You know what I'm a long time fluoxetine gal, and the doc switched me to sertraline while pregnant, then back again post pregnancy. So it's gotta be safer.

I took it through ivf and subsequent pregnancy. No issues to report (I’d not have coped very well without it, tbh).

Thanks all, hoping a low dose would really help me

Taken SSRIs through both pregnancies, both kids absolutely fine.

I think you need to go and speak to your GP really to talk about your options. Sertraline is one of the safest out there. I've been taking it throughout my pregnancy (I'm nearly 7 months) and been really enjoying life and my pregnancy. I'll review with my GP before I start breastfeeding. Make an informed decision by seeing your doctor- maybe you'd prefer to try something other than medication?

@AceSpades54321 it’s sooo hard to tell when some people who are on antidepressants may be more likely to have complications etc anyway so these issues might not necessarily be caused by the medication but I’d never forgive myself if there was any slight issue 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’ve tried to find even any natural remedies that might have the same effect as the beta blockers but even things like kalms aren’t recommended, it’s so hard! I don’t want to quit my job because of it but feel like I don’t have much choice

The evidence on anti-depressants is not 'really iffy'

The evidence is that they don't work in the brain the way we thought they did, not that they don't work.

Sertraline carries a low risk of heart defects, pulmonary hypertension and withdrawal symptoms for an infant.

Maternal anxiety and even more so depression carries a moderate risk of having a significant impact on infant and child mental health into adulthood.

I delayed the use of medication with Dc2. I shouldn’t have done. I think my mental health issues has had significant impact on his development.

I took sertraline during pregnancy and for 18 months post birth with DC3, the difference in her early development and my ability to parent was astounding.

The risks need to be balanced.

I stopped taking fluoxetine during my first pregnancy, and it was a terrible mistake. I had my worst ever bout of depression in my third trimester. Put on sertraline the day after the birth as it was safe with breastfeeding and continued to take it throughout my second pregnancy. It worked for me for 10 years with no side effects - flipping wonder drug!

Worth looking on the bumps (best use of medicines in pregnancy) website - evidence-based information available there :)

I had this issue. I had a lengthy discussion with a consultant in foetal medicine, I think, and the advice was that the risk was probably lower if I was on the sertraline with stable serotonin etc levels and took the risks of the meds rather than off the meds with potentially fluctuating levels and the risk of having to go on at a higher dose if things got bad.
it’s a very individual decision as to what you feelcomfortable with and I don’t think there’s a “wrong” answer. Personally, after a lot of thought, I followed the advice and had 2 kids whilst on 100mg of sertraline with none of the medicine risks materialising in either child. i also breastfed both whilst on the same dosage.

I should add that I had been on sertraline for a few years already by that point.