Taking antidepressants whilst pregnant??

I was on antidepressants before getting pregnant and stayed on them throughout my pregnancy. I did plan to wean off but my anxiety started to get quite bad at one point so decided it was best to stay on them. I had no issues, I did drop down to the lowest dose

I was. I was on them before pregnancy. I would weigh the benefits vs the risks. I knew I could not function off of my meds as I have BPD. If you think you can function without your meds I’d say it’s totally ok to stop them. But if you need your meds to function and not become majorly depressed stay on them. There’s nothing wrong with staying in them if you choose to do so. But something I will say is when my daughter was born she went through a withdrawal from my medication. It was sad to see because she kept shaking. It didn’t seem to cause her pain though.

I was on 40mg of citalopram before pregnancy, spoke to a colleague (pharmacist) he said there wasn't much study about it so it was personal preference as they couldn't be sure if it would harm the baby. I weaned off and I'm not bragging but my mental health was spot on during pregnancy. Had a lot of stress and worries after she was born but think they were all normal, worried about her health and if there was a fire, how would I get everyone out.. they settled down but still kept seeing the glass as half empty with things, I could deep clean all the kitchen but be disappointed in myself that I didn't do the cooker x took 5 days of my citalopram again and had a terrible reaction, spent 8 hours dizzy, really bad then spaced out and just not with it the next day. Doctor took me straight off them and has advised talking therapy as I didn't want to take them in the first place but people told me I should, including my HV xx

I was not for my first and struggled with severe health anxiety. Ended up bad enough post partum I was not sleeping, basically had a mental breakdown and immediately started meds and therapy. It helped tremendously! I was planning to wean off after a year or so once I felt confident my anxiety and panic attacks were in check and got pregnant at 11 months post partum. Talked with my doctors and we made the decision for me was best if I stayed on lexapro through this pregnancy. At first I was really scared and felt guilty but honestly it’s made this pregnancy so much easier on me mentally. For me the benefits outweigh the risks, but from what I’ve read lexapro (Escitalopram) is considered one of the lower risk options. At the end of the day you have to do what’s best for you!

Best that you talk to your doctor about it

Sertraline is one of the safest for pregnancy from what I read. The only side effect was the baby might be more fussy after birth due to withdrawal but I don’t think that’s worth the risk of having a major depressive episode.

@Abbey what med was it if you don’t mind me asking?

@Ragain I was on Duloxetine and Seroquel.

I'm taking sertraline while pregnant

I tried to wean off all my meds but the depression returned which is a pregnancy risk factor itself. Stayed on a low dose during pregnancy. On Lexapro which is meant to be safe. Baby came out healthy at 39 weeks.

Yep, I’ve stayed on them but lowered my dosage — I didn’t have to, but my anxiety is more manageable whilst pregnant (my body loves progesterone / not having periods, lol). My prenatal psychiatrist said that Zoloft specifically has a lot of research behind it and that it’s considered safe for pregnancy.

I would take it. I stopped when I found out I was pregnant and didn't start again until 2 months Pp. I was incredible depressed and mental drained throughout my whole pregnancy. I won't ever forget that again, and I hope you choose your mental health 💕

Thank you so much for your advice ladies!! Really really good to know! I’m only 8 months pp so baby number 2 is definitely not coming anytime soon!!

I’ve just been put on these tablets suffering with post natal depression, I haven’t took them get got them 3 days ago I’m so scared to take them apparently you feel worse before you feel better? I’m so low in mood I don’t no if I can handle feeling worse 😢 I’m so worried to take them x

@Danielle I take them for anxiety, not depression, but I’ve never felt or heard of feeling worse before you feel better. Don’t be afraid to take the medication you need. You’d typically start at a lower dosage and can adjust if needed.

I also continued taking sertraline through pregnancy and am continuing to do so while breastfeeding, just on a lower dose as I wanted to stop taking them anyway but reducing very very gradually. Just make sure you clear everything with your doctor/midwife but your mental health is so important x

@Danielle I was the same as you, I was so so worried it would make me worse but honestly I’ve never felt better! There wasn’t a time I felt low mood at all with them, your mental health is so so important especially postpartum! You’ll feel so much better I promise x

@Rachael thank you for this reassurance I keep picking them up and popping them back down just get such an anxious feeling. did you feel sick or anything I just don’t want to deel croggy whislt trying to handle a little one xxx

@Danielle yeah I get you! The only thing at first which is a common side effect was diarrhoea but I didn’t feel sick or anything! I also take B12 tablets alongside and honestly feel on top of the world🤣

I was taking anti psychotics when I was pregnant, my dr said there wasn’t any trials to say it wasn’t safe. As I have BPD it was important I didn’t become ill while I was pregnant or PP. It’s better to discuss it with your doctor before you stop any tablets, they will also get you onto the perinatal team for extra support in your pregnancy. They were brilliant for me.

Sertraline is safe while pregnant! I am 33 weeks and have been taking it the whole time! Ask your doctor to be sure, but my doctor was very confident that it was safe. Especially if it is helping mom. It is worth it to stay on.

Im bipolar i stopped my meds during my pregnancy due to me not wanting to have to increase dose. Waited till babe and 3 days later (i had a rough birth felt episode) started right back up at the same dose are prior

I’ve remained on my sertraline, don’t think I could have managed without tbh! xx

@Jess awww have you? And not experienced any issues or anything?xx

@Rachael No issues no I spoke to my doctor as soon I realised I was pregnant and they said it would be safer all round for me to stay on it, and the midwife at my booking appt said the exact same Xxx

@Jess so happy to know this!! Was worried I’d have to come off when it’s time for baby number 2!! Thank you lovely xx