Started sertraline today..23 weeks pregnant

[CinnamonAndSpice]

So I had a thread the other night about how I'd been feeling and yesterday I bit the bullet and went to see GP. Who said I can clearly see you are depressed and started me on 50mg, sertraline..
He said many pregnant women take them and they are fine.
However I'm. Still so worried about having a pre term Bubba or something. I know most is in my mind however I know there is always the chance.
Now I'm debating on whether it's the right thing to of done?

I'm sorry you're having a rough time ATM.

I did a quick bit of googling and it looks like there are some very, very small risks associated with taking Sertraline during pregnancy. That said, one of those was only relevant during the first trimester, so you're safely past that. And there are also slightly increased risks associated with untreated depression, so treatment is considered the best option for both you and your baby.

I would question why your GP chose sertraline, have you taken it before and found it to be effective?

Also, have they referred you to a perinatal mental health service? I don't know where in the country you are, but there are services where I am (London) that you can self refer to and they'll see you very quickly. If there is anything like that available to you I would definitely go and see them. They might be able to offer you more support, talking therapies and specialist advice about medication.

Above all you need to look after yourself and accept all the support that you're offered. Depression sucks, but you're doing the right thing getting help with it. All the best. Xxx

I had sertraline a few yrs ago but needed something different as wasn't doing the trick at the time. He said the reason of sertraline was it's the most common used in pregnancy.
He gave me some info sheets to contact some charities etc so will look into that too when I can get my head around it all x

Sertraline is definitely seems to be a popular antidepressant to prescribe if you're going to be breastfeeding and is one of a few that get fairly widely prescribed in pregnancy, so it's probably a fairly safe starting point, especially if you've had it before and didn't have any intolerable side effects.

Looking into the charities definitely sounds worthwhile once you're ready, and talk to your midwife as well when you next see them. Depression in pregnancy is all too common, so they'll definitely have seen it before and might know local sources of support.

I'm well now, but have a pretty long history of depression. I'm just hoping and praying that I don't suffer from it again. I'm only 9+3, first pregnancy, so still have a long way to go. FWIW, if I do need meds, I will take them. I suspect that in the long term it's better to try to nip any problems in the bud early on and hopefully be in a better position to cope with the challenges of being a mum. x

I've been taking it since around the same point as you OP.

At first I felt rough physically and guilty too but once it kicked in I know I'd never look back. I feel so much more like myself.

I have an emotional connection with the baby for the first time since my bfp. I can smile and laugh and cope with the ups and downs of the day. I want to be around friends and family. I don't hate everything and everyone and wonder what the point of life is every day anymore! All positive for the baby.

Definitely outweighs the risks for me to feel like this than the stress of depression.

The counselling that goes with it is invaluable too. If it wasn't offered by the doc contact your perinatal mental health team.

Don't feel guilty OP