Depression/Anti Depressants & Pregnancy.

[Neverbroken]

I don't feel like my sertraline is working. I still feel down and still cry a lot. I feel so bad and I’m scared my depression will affect my baby. I’ve never felt more alone in all my life.

@Neverbroken- you’re definitely not alone. I’m suffering with anxiety and worry everyday it’s effecting my baby. I’ve read loads and loads of threads online if women who have been through the same and given birth to beautiful babies.
How far gone are you? Sending lots of love x

I'm on sertraline and mental health took a nosedive around week 20.
Contact your GP who may increase the dose. I've gone from 50mg to 100mg and am feeling a LOT better a week later.
Also ask for a midwife checkup to get help. I've been referred to mental health team. They will be able to give you lots of support, mainly to try to prevent you from developing PND. That's my main worry, so I'm taking all the help I can get, asap.
I really feel for you! I know it is completely awful and hard to pick up the phone for help.

Im 22 weeks, most days I’ve stayed in bed if I don’t have work. I’ve never been more alone in my life I have no one to talk to. I already feel like a bad mom, my baby deserves better than me.

I go to a psychiatrist also supposed to start seeing a CPN I’m currently on 100mg already although trying to remember to take them everyday is hard I’ve only been on the a couple of weeks.

Your baby doesn't deserve better, they deserve you. You are already an amazing mother because you care so much about whether your child is going to be effected by your depression.

I've been where you are and now have a healthy, happy 3 year old. All of my stress and anxiety during pregnancy and breastfeeding hasn't had any impact at all. He is doing absolutely brilliantly and I couldn't be prouder of him.

I second asking for help. There are so many fantastic services in place to help people like us. I'm 37 weeks with my second now and I've been accessing all of the help I can, and feel I've copied much better this time round. Whereabouts in the country are you?

Cross-pist @Neverbroken!
You've only been on the sertraline a couple of weeks?

*post not pist!

I’m in Birmingham. Yeah I was only prescribed them from last year but didn’t take them. Was on Fluoxetine last year but that gave me a lot of headaches so I stopped those. Then when I had booking appointment midwife said I should start them but I read they could give baby heart defects. Only after 20 week scan when I know she’s okay did I start. I was really reluctant to be on anything at first but to be honest I just want to be able to be happy because she deserves a happy mom but I feel like I can’t be. Once I get home I’m so drained from going to work and pretending to be fine all I can do is lie down.

@Neverbroken I'm so sorry you feel like op but you're certainly not alone. The first four weeks on new medication can be awful but you just need to try and stick with it. Your body is still getting used to it. I've been on many different medications in the past and sertraline was probably the best one. It's important not to miss one, set an alarm on your phone if it helps.
You're so brave for getting help though, it proves how strong you are!

I think it's usually 2-4 weeks until you see the effects of sertraline, so stick with it. I feel for you with trying to balance meds and your growing baby. At the end of the day, you need to be cared for too. if you'll be in a better place with meds, then that is what your baby needs you to do. Honestly, I can't say this enough: the fact that you're so worried about her means you are already a fantastic mum, and she's not even here.

And take care of yourself in the meantime! If you want to sleep, sleep! That's perfectly fine and in no way a bad thing. Do something for yourself every day. Something simple like a lovely bubble bath, or a hot chocolate with a good book. Whatever helps you take a moment for you.

Was hoping you lived near me, because I could point you in the direction of some excellent services in the area, but I'm nowhere near Birmingham. Can you ask about counselling for parents? We have a service which looks after parents and families with children under 5. I found that really helpful, and quicker than waiting for NHS counselling.

You can do this! A few more weeks then you'll start to feel the sertraline. Keep posting if you need to chat. Tell us more about yourself.

I’m 25, there’s not really much to me. My life is pretty boring nothing special to report. Been a rough couple of years, anxiety decided to introduce itself last year. I don’t really know what to say.

How are you feeling today @Neverbroken?

I’ve only cried once so maybe the tablets are helping but Also been very sleepy today actually napped at work on my break. How are you?