Sertraline, should I take it?

[Hailey12]

Hi,

I'm 25 weeks pregnant and really struggling with my mental health. My ocd and anxiety is ruling my life. I'm so scared of contamination and germs I can't touch my dogs and won't let me partner touch me if she's wearing clothes she's walked the dogs in or picked up poo. It's ruining me and my relationship.

My midwife and partner think I need medication. I'm just so scared that it will effect the baby. I'm mostly worried about the risks of Autism and adhd, I feel like if they do have something like that or anything else I will blame myself for taking the tablets.

Has anyone else been on sertraline or started it in the second trimester and can reassure me that your child was ok? Just don't know what to do!

I think yes, take it. I didn't take while pregnant but I'm a different person. Much happier and me again.

I took Citalopram when I was pregnant with my now 3.5 year old. No issue what so ever. For my me the benefits at the time out weighed any small risk (as advised by my GP and Midwife). I'm now on Sertraline as the Citalopram for me stopped working :)

I had a really positive experience on sertraline (not while pregnant) and also suffer with ocd and anxiety. If I was in your position, would 100% take again. The first two weeks are rough but it get so much better.

I took the max dose of sertraline throughout pregnancy (and after). No issues at all. DS is 4.5. He's NT (as far as we know) and a brilliant boy in every way. Never regretted being on sertraline at all. The benefit in terms of reducing my stress levels and depression massively outweighed any (tiny) risk.

Honestly? There are some risks but that doesn't mean you should not take ADs during pregnancy.

Very low risks of a few physical issues. Like really low incidents.

Babies can have a withdrawal after birth which can be distressing but not dangerous.

Long term affect of child's mental health being affected unknown

But let's face it, if we struggle, genetically they possibly would have an increased chance of needing mental health support in life anyway.

The alternative is potentially worse. If you need ADs then coming off them could be more detrimental to you than staying on them. Depression and anxiety in pregnancy has been found to have detrimental effects on the child.

high level of maternal anxiety has a significant relation with mental disorders, emotional problems, lack of concentration and hyperactivity and impaired cognitive development of children

So it's all a balance of risks. I would choose to stay on them

I took sertraline up till about 5 months while pregnant with DD, I was on it before I got pregnant. My GP said there was a slight risk of heart problems so I wanted to wean off but not at the expense of my MH so it took a while. DD autistic and probably ADHD.

I didn't take any while pregnant with DS (just about managed my MH then without it but if I was tipping over manageable I'd have taken it), I think he's also autistic but too young to diagnose still. I'm ADHD and suspected autistic, DP is suspected autistic. I assume the baby I'm due in a few weeks is also autistic because at this point it would be odd if they weren't. There's no known cause for autism except that it seems to run in families.

What's NT?

What's NT?

NT means neurotypical the opposite is ND or neurodivergent. ND includes autism and ADHD