Taking anti-depressants SSRI (Sertraline) whilst pregnant

[Ceridwyn82]

I have just found out I'm about 5 weeks pregnant. I take sertraline on the lowest does (50mg) as treatment for anxiety and depression and have done for years. I've tried coming off a number of times but always ended up back on it due to not coping (though I did manage 1.5 years off it at one time) . My doctor has said the 'ideal' is obviously to not be taking anything whilst pregnant but at the same time it's important I stay well. There is no solid or conclusive data of how it can affect a pregnancy, some studies have suggested it could slightly increase the risk of some defects. There are also risks coming off it of increased anxiety and post-natal depression etc.... Feels like a huge decision and I don't want to make the wrong call. Just wondering if anyone else has been in a similar scenario?

I've been in your position and decided to stop taking anti-ds. Suffered most of my pregnancy and had mental health support but still feel like the time was stolen from me. It took me months to get right again, even after going back on them after the birth.

Decided with doctor's support to keep taking them for subsequent pregnancies and it was a different story. Given the choice again, I'd stay on them.

Mental health doctor at the hospital said sertraline are the ones they recommend.

'My doctor has said the 'ideal' is obviously to not be taking anything whilst pregnant but at the same time it's important I stay well'

That's not a very helpful comment is it!

Pregnancy can impact MH itself- I never had issues before, but got peri natal and ended up taking years to more or less get back to normal.

It's up to you obv but my opinion is keep taking them and keep an eye on yourself in terms of any changes in your state of mind.

Good luck :)

I've been taking Sertraline throughout my pregnancy, in a much higher dose than the one you are taking. It is considered a safe anti-depressant for pregnancy, and my GP and ante-natal consultant are very happy for me to take it. The decision always boils down to do the risks to the mother, in not taking the medication, outweigh the risks to the child. You wouldn't be taking the medication if you didn't need to, so I think you are doing the right thing by continuing to take it. Please try not to feel bad about it, your mental and physical health matters during pregnancy too.

Have you come across the Bumps website? It's Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy and has lots of information that you will find useful. It's the same information doctors have available to them, and I have found it very reassuring and helpful during my pregnancy. The website is medicinesinpregnancy.org

*outweigh the risks to the child if you do take the medicine. I hope that bit makes sense.

I took sertraline when I was expecting dc2, having come off venlafaxine in order to conceive. I had been on venlafaxine for 5 years having suffered from pnd following the birth of dc1. Looking back I probably had pre-natal depression as well. Dc2 was born 2 weeks late, fit and healthy and is now a happy and wonderful almost 14 year old. I had struggled with early weeks of pregnancy until I started taking sertraline at about 10 weeks. Best decision I ever made. Happy mum, happy baby. Good luck with your pregnancy xx

I took sertraline through both pregnancies. It would have been a very bad move to be off of them.

I tried coming off in my first pregnancy and ended up having a breakdown.

@ceridwyn82 hi lovely, I'm currently taking 150mg a day plus quetiapine. I'm also under the care of a psychiatrist who is referring me to perinatal mental health so I will get the most relevant care _ mum's health is a priority xx

9h and I don't plan on ceasing meds - maybe reduce, but I don't do well off of them.
I'm 6 weeks so not much different to where you are at the moment xx

I'm 35 weeks and got prescribed 50mg sertraline a couple months ago for the first time. I believe they are the safest anti ds for pregnancy so stay on them if you feel you should x

Came here to comment exactly the same as @tofuschnitzel. Multiple perinatal psychiatrists and my GP have told me they see sertraline as a safe medication during pregnancy and the benefits outweigh the (very small) risks. Your MH matters so much during your pregnancy, so do everything you can to stay well - maybe see the sertraline as a preventative measure? That's how its been framed to me by HCPs. And congrats on your pregnancy OP!

I was on 200mg sertraline (for OCD) throughout most of my pregnancy. Like you, I was quite wary at the thought of taking this medication throughout pregnancy. However, my very experienced (i.e. several decades of experience under his belt) assured me that it was way more important for both me and the baby that I try and maintain my mental health throughout pregnancy.

I only started taking sertraline last year, as soon as I found out I was pregnant I contacted GP who said to cut down to 50mg every other day instead of every day and see how I get on (have done that and absolutely fine). She said ultimately a happy mum is the most important thing. She asked about breastfeeding as well because there are better options to swap to if not planning to BF, but as I am she said Sertraline is best to stay on rather than swapping around (Sertraline is best option when BFing apparently).

Have seen midwife and consultant since then and they all said the same, that it is perfectly safe to take in pregnancy and that my mental health during pregnancy and postnatally is the most important thing :) x