Sertraline in pregnancy and how long did it take to work and see the benefits?

[Sunshine199]

Hi everyone,

I'm 24 weeks pregnant at the moment with baby number 3 and really struggling with anxiety and depression. I've always had a niggle of it but now it seems to be a lot worse. I have sought advice from my GP who has prescribed sertraline for me and reassured me it is perfectly safe to be taking. But the emotions I'm feeling are making this pregnancy so difficult.
Please no judge comments but I often feel like I'm not bonding with the baby. Some days I feel like I don't want it at all ... and this was a much wanted/planned pregnancy. It is completely ruining it for me and I feel riddled with guilt as I know I am so lucky to have a healthy baby when some people can't.
My question to anyone that has been in this situation is 1) how long did it take for the medication to make a positive difference and 2) did it affect the way you bonded with the baby?
I am hoping the feelings go when baby is here, im so worried I won't bond with it when it's born 😓

I took sertraline from about 12 weeks pregnant with DD (2nd child). Was really feeling awful before that - was starting to get suicidal thoughts and felt it would be better if I (and she I suppose) weren’t there.
They had an effect within probably a week or so. I stayed on them after she was born for about a year or so I think.
I was worried I wouldn’t bond with her…….I was wrong as as soon as she was born I bonded completely. It had taken me longer to bond with DS I realised afterwards and probably I had some depression going on there. But with DD it was much better.

They are 18 and 16 now but I remember the feeling of desperation and then feeling OK bad then feeling more like it was fine, which it was 😊

That is so reassuring Miranda, thank you for replying. I have struggled to admit it, but I also have felt those dark thoughts, including suicidal thoughts, but I know I would never act on them. It's just that feeling of worthlessness and not wanting to cope with all of the negative thoughts swimming around my head.
I have a really supportive family which helps, but equally I haven't truly opened up to the extent of how I'm feeling as I feel ashamed.
I am desperately hoping this will not be effecting me when baby is here as I don't want it to ruin my relationship with them.
Also feel like I'm struggling to be a happy/fun loving parent to my other 2 when I'm feeling like this. Ugh there is so much guilt with parenting 🤦🏼‍♀️😪

Hey, please don't be hard on yourself! With my last DD, I refused meds all together, despite being very low in mood and very anxious. I got so unwell mentally after her birth and then didn't take meds for a few weeks.. then they took a few weeks to start working.

They generally day 2 weeks to start working, 4-6 weeks until they're in full effect.

I'm currently pregnant with #4 and like you, I wanted and tried for this baby and I'm honestly not that happy about it! It's bizarre. But hormones seem to be sending my brain funny.

This time I'm staying on my meds, so hope to do better.

You will bond with your baby. You will. It might be whilst they're growing in your belly, it might be the moment you see them, it might be that you realise it slowly in the days and weeks after they're born, but you will. ❤️

There are side effects to being depressed when pregnant too. So in my opinion it's better to be happy and pregnant, than sad and pregnant.

Also if you speak to your midwife, she will be able to signpost you. I've been referred to a perinatal mental health practitioner for support.

Take care xxx

Sorry you are going through something similar GoT, it's reassuring to know that the meds worked for you and made a difference.
I genuinely was fine with my last 2 pregnancies but I've had a lot going on in my personal life over the past couple of years which has probably caused my anxiety/depression to get worse.

There is often days where I think the baby would be better off not being born into the family and having me as its mum, it deserves more than that. My kids/husband are looking forward to baby being here so it just makes me feel worse for feeling this way.

I did speak to my midwife, she said she would refer me to the perinatal midwife but I've heard nothing from her. I actually had an appointment with her on Monday for a check up and she didn't even ask how I was feeling, despite me mentioning it on previous appointments. I tried to speak with her but she was running late and I felt rushed out the door. My GP has been more supportive and signed me off work for a couple of weeks which helped. I'm back now but still struggling with day to day life.

Sorry to rant, and thank you for replying, it's nice to know I'm not alone.

All the best to you too and take care xx

I took it during my second pregnancy. It must have been around 12 weeks I started. My anxiety was through the roof with worry about being pregnant again. We'd lost a baby and then my rainbow was almost during birth so I was all over the place. I also had pnd rippling under the surface that I'd tried to keep buried.

Anyway - started the meds and as they took effect it was like someone opened a blind or blew away the fog or both. The unrest I'd been feeling was quietened down and I could hear myself think again. It made me realise just how hard I'd been working to feel normal. I took them for about a year. I'd have stopped sooner but there was a lot of upheaval post birth due to I'll health in one of my parents and my dh changing jobs. The meds helped keep me calm.

Don't be afraid to take them. It can be the reset that your brain needs to help you find clarity. x

Hi, Sp glad the meds started working for you.I was prescribed sertraline today and im worried that it'll give me bad side effects also im exclusively breastfeeding my 7 week old. Does it affect breast milk ?do you know anything about that?