Abortion for mental health reasons.. anyone?

[harrywantedmefirst]

I'm almost 9 weeks with a planned baby. Since being pregnant my mental health has plummeted. My anxiety over morning sickness, not being able to have the COVID jab, labour.. you know it - my anxiety has been unbearable. I darent leave the house even for a walk.
I'm spending most days crying and not wanting to get out of bed. I have a DS and it's not good for him, or my relationship. I've become obsessed with the thought of abortion. This baby is wanted but I think ending the pregnancy would be fairer all round for everyone.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Thank you.

@Wondermule

Oh OP, I take sertraline and would feel exactly like you do if I stopped taking it. I really think you should discuss taking it again with your GP (if only a small dose). Did you stop taking it suddenly? If so, then there’s another reason you are feeling as you do.

You’re very nearly at the 12 week mark now, if you stopped taking it because of your pregnancy you could aim for that as a date to start taking it again - by that point the fetus is well developed and I believe it is generally very safe to take ADs.

You take sertraline too? We're more alike than I thought! I was on 50mg then had tapered to 25mg every few days for a month or so but then when I found out I was pregnant I just stopped altogether as I started to feel worse the day after I'd taken them. I'm waiting for my GP to reply to the text I sent I just said how awful I am feeling, that I've stopped my sertraline and that I'm seriously considering abortion x

Good luck whatever your decision OP. I would strongly advise taking the sertraline and seeing how you feel after it has kicked in a bit - you still have a few weeks at least to make a decision, so you have time to rule out sertraline withdrawal as the cause of your distress x

@harrywantedmefirst
I'm so sorry you are going through this. Exactly the same thing happened to me and the midwifery psychologist is certain my feelings were due to past trauma. Effectively whilst pregnant I suffered with PTSD due to a horrendous miscarriage I had 6 years previous and what with Covid anxieties ontop of this and feeling dreadfully isolated I felt trapped and sadly could see no other option other than termination. There is help available, sadly for me it came far too late. Anti-depressants can help with the anxiety and it may help you to speak to your midwife to get some support. Please do feel though that you can reach out and ask for help. I didn't and I really do regret it - I know it is easier said that done as when you are depressed you can't really see a way out. Do get in contact with me if you feel it may help :-) xx