Need reassurance about sertraline

[Alj001]

Hey, this is my first post on mumsnet so I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place but I have just been prescribed sertraline by my doctor and I'm just looking for a bit of reassurance.
I have suffered from OCD since I was a child and I have previously managed it with medication and CBT when it gets bad. I came off my meds about 6 months before getting pregnant as I was feeling a lot better. I'm almost 27 weeks pregnant with my first baby and my OCD and anxiety have become quite bad again during pregnancy. I have been trying to 'tough is out' but I have got to a point where I feel that I really need the meds as the intrusive thoughts and worrying are really beginning to upset me. The doctor has said that it is important to manage my OCD and anxiety and I agree but I'm anxious about the sertraline affecting my baby. Has anyone had a baby while taking sertraline / gone on the breastfeed while still on the medicine? I just want to do what's right for my baby and I'm concerned about side effects, withdrawals etc!

I took sertraline from being 12 weeks pregnant with my daughter and then breastfed her until she was nearly 1.

She's 11 now and although I can't know whether she'd be any different if I hadn't taken sertraline, she's never seemed affected by it in any way.

I would take it, in your position.

I took sertraline throughout both my pregnancies for moderate depression and anxiety. I discussed coming off it with my GP and indeed did taper my dose right down in the final trimester of my last pregnancy but continued to take it. In discussion with my GP we concluded that the risks of me coming off it were greater than the risks of me staying on it. Neither DC appears to have suffered any ill effects.

Assess the risks each way but tbh you may conclude (as I did) that the risks associated with continuing to take it are really v small compared to the ill effects of coming off.

Currently 9 weeks pregnant and on sertraline. Have been taking it for years and numerous doctors have agreed it's better to keep taking it and be well, than coming off and struggle with day to day life. Reduced the dose in anticipation of falling pregnant, but will increase post birth if necessary and have been reassured I can safely breastfeed if I decide to do so. Hope that helps x

I am also about to start Sertraline. I was on Citalopram but doctor thinks Sertraline is safer so I'm being switched to it. She is weaning me off Citalopram over two weeks and I'm going through it now and it's incredibly hard, I'm a mess emotionally, crying all the time, shouting at my partner and generally being hysterical. I really hope starting Sertraline will help and work as well as Citalopram. Good luck!

Was on Sertraline throughout my first pregnancy (100mg daily), and then breastfed for over 2 years with no problems. I'm now pregnant again, and still on Sertraline. It's been absolutely fine.

Thanks everyone, I feel a bit better now. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through a hard time Lizziedoll, I hope you start to feel better soon