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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Pregnancy & Sertraline

15 replies

Aimeeb123 · 07/08/2018 16:50

Hi, hoping for some advice and help of other mummies out there, I am currently trying for a baby however I am on meds which I am willing to stop amitriptyline, propanalol I am ok to come of however I have been on sertraline anti depressants for 3 years and they really help me I am terrified to come of them? I have heard all sorts of rumors have any mums out there taken this drug during pregnancies?

Thanks
Aimee

OP posts:
PalePinkSwan · 07/08/2018 16:51

Yes I used them through two pregnancies and breastfeeding, no problem. They are regarded as the safest anti depressant during pregnancy.

MirandaWest · 07/08/2018 16:52

I took them throughout pregnancy with my daughter. No issues with them or her

MirandaWest · 07/08/2018 16:53

I also breastfed.

NanFlanders · 07/08/2018 16:54

Yes. I have during my second pregnancy. Strongly advised to keep going with them. I had come off Prozac in my first one, and became seriously ill with depression in third trimester. I still feel this affected my early bonding with 1st dc. Difference with second child was like day to night. AFAIK, there are no contraindications with sertraline in pregnancy and it's one of the few meds you can safely breastfeed with. Good luck

lambdroid · 07/08/2018 16:58

I’d been taking it for a few years and was reducing my dose when I found out I was pregnant. I decided to try and stop as long as it worked out ok.

I was advised that it would have been fine to continue taking if needed, but found stopping at 12 weeks after a very gradual taper was ok. I haven’t needed to go back on since then, which is over a year and a half ago now.

Stopping was fine for me, but if It hasn’t worked out, I would 100% have continued taking them.

AmyRhodes · 07/08/2018 17:04

I literally came on this board to start the same topic - thank heavens for you ladies!

I am on Sertraline and was tempted to stop - I've just found out I'm pregnant but I'm on holiday with no access to a doctor.

Everything online and when I spoke to my doctor when TTC suggests the risk is tiny. I figure being a happy, healthy mum-to-be is the most important thing at the moment.

My DP will be delighted because I know he's terrified I'll struggle if I come off them.

SiolGhoraidh · 07/08/2018 17:22

Sertraline is the one they tend to prescribe to pregnant mothers if anti depressants are needed and is generally considered one of the safest options.
Nhs guidance can be found here
beta.nhs.uk/medicines/sertraline/

Deadheadstickeronacadillac · 07/08/2018 17:22

Was on highest dose of sertraline through pregnancy last year...consultant said it was fine and actually one of the better ones to be in during pregnancy.

SirHubzALot · 07/08/2018 17:36

I'm 29 weeks and have been taking it throughout. Everything is fine so far! The benefits far outweigh the risk imo.

Angeliki159 · 07/08/2018 17:42

I took sertraline throughout my pregnancy.
All fine.

TheWanderlust · 07/08/2018 18:13

I was petrified of taking my sertraline. I stopped taking it as soon as I found out that I was pregnant. (Now 10 weeks)

heymrsb · 08/08/2018 01:10

I came off of sertraline before ttc on advice of my (male) GP. I'd been on it for 8 years, and reduced over 6 months - we had been in Mexico on honeymoon so I was very concerned about timing given the Zika outbreak - and tbh it gave me a dual purpose while waiting before we "officially" started trying, along with getting all my supplements in!

He advised me that as little medication as possible was the recommended approach - and should I conceive and struggle with my mental health there was lots of help and support available from the midwives.

I actually got pregnant very quickly and the first few weeks were a blur of emotions and excitement.

I started feeling properly concerned about my mental health again after 3 months - and mentioned to every midwife, asking how I could get the support my GP told me about. The midwives told me that the only extra support they knew of was referral to a psychiatric specialist unit - to put it bluntly, for people who are effected by mental illness much more severe than my own.

I had good experience and techniques from having had CBT previously so was able to cope relatively well, I had good weeks and awful weeks and put it down to just pregnancy, though sometimes it's been hard to know what's me and what's "normal"... you read about pregnant ladies being hormonal and emotional and sometimes it was like it could be that, and other times ... not so much Confused

I had a really bad week 31, and went to see my GP again. My regular doc was on holiday - so I got a new (female) GP.

Oh. My. God. Whole new story.

She was fantastic. She listened to me, properly, and explained that the mother's health and wellbeing is just as important as baby's - and if I felt I needed to go back onto any dosage of sertraline, she would absolutely support it as it was one of the safest drugs for use during pregnancy. She didn't say it out loud but I think she was concerned that I was pressured to come off of it in the first place- I wasn't, but had I had her advice earlier I would probably have gone back onto the tablets as soon as I'd started struggling in month 3. I've not enjoyed being pregnant - I have been physically well, but there are times when my mood has been so low, its been pretty shit and I feel like I'm unbearable to be around sometimes.

I feel bad to suggest that the male vs female approach was different- it could have been an age thing, or just their personal view- and I can't believe the difference in knowledge around maternity service and mental health provision in our area! Had I been able to receive that reassurance earlier it would have made a massive difference. Not to baby - but to me.

I'm 34+1 and have decided to continue without - it may be silly, but I feel I've come this far so want to keep going - however I now have more regular midwife appointments now I'm further on, and have moved to have the new GP as my primary contact so I feel much more supported. I've discussed going back into a lower dosage once baby is here - as it's safe during breastfeeding, too. But even now feeling more in control and knowing the option is there is helpful. Especially as I worry about being higher risk for PND and I would like to be a happy, healthy mum for my wee one!

Sorry, that was a long winded way of saying it's totally safe 🙈

I also think it's a very personal decision. If you wanted to try without - it's up to you - but I think if I had regular access to therapy or a group to chat with maybe, which I could have received a normal referral for - it would have made a difference too. I felt really alone, and you don't have to be - just make sure you have a supportive unit around you, it makes all of the difference!

Again sorry for the long reply. I'm at peak insomnia / needing to pee all night time just now and got a bit carried away 😂
Best of luck xx

Aimeeb123 · 08/08/2018 11:12

Thank you all for our messages I really appreciate it! I started with anxiety after having my little girl which led to depression I tried all different methods counselling, CBT, mindfulness, group sessions but nothing was working I was then put on setraline and they worked wonders but now 2/3 years on I’m terrified to come of them ! I went to Disney land with my little girl a few weeks back an whilst there I lost my tablets so went 5 days with no tabs and had to wait 2 days to get them of the doctor, them few days were awful I was shaky nausea and what I can only describe as feeling like I wasn’t there I remember being in nandos and everything was going on slow motion I could feel my breathing getting deeper and the noise getting louder, now I no this is probably as I went cold turkey (not intending to) once I got back on the tabs I was fine again so I’m too scared to come of them An be any where near like I was, especially now I have a job and a 4 year old to look after I’m already dreading my mood after having another baby as it wasn’t good with my first born but I’m thinking this will be a different experience as I have the tablets to help me so for me ideally I’d like to stay on them for my own sanity ! And to be able to get on with day to day life as well as trying to conceive. When I went to my doctors I asked the doctor (not my normal doctor see a different one everytime 🙄) and she just said “oh yes come off all your meds if you want a baby” and then shown me the way out ../ great help so I thought I’d come on here to get peoples opinions who have gone through the same situation as me and after reading all the replies I do feel more at ease now to carry on with my anti depressants through my pregnancy (when I get pregnant that is haha) I couldn’t imagine the hormones of a pregnant woman mixed with depression and anxiety! It took me a goood year or 2 to find something that works for me and now I have I don’t want to stop. Thank you ladies it means a lot to have your advice! X

OP posts:
SirHubzALot · 08/08/2018 13:23

I tried to stop sertraline after about 4 years to TTC and I didn't cope. Went back on them and am so glad I did. There is scientific evidence that having a calm and non-stressed pregnant mother is beneficial for the baby but no real evidence that sertraline is harmful at all. It's a no brainer really!

Angelmiracle · 08/08/2018 13:41

I was only on sertraline 3 months. Female GP preferred me off them so while ttc I reduced the dose really gradually. When I got BFP I stopped and 3 weeks later so far my anxiety hasn't come back. Everyone is different but GP did say pregnant women can take it. Hoping the anxiety stays at bay.

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