Zoloft & Pregnancy - Mesquite,TX

Keep taking it. I took mine. I quit for a while when the boys were first born, because ONE person told me that tests regarding breastmilk hadn't been done on babies smaller than 4 pounds; but all the other nurses and doctors told me to keep taking it. There were no ill effects. I'm glad I kept taking it. (my boys were not even 3 pounds when they were born so the lactation consultant felt there may be a risk, but other professionals insisted I keep taking it, esp with the high stress of the situation after the birth).

Congrats on the baby and for realizing that you needed help :) I know because I have been there done that. I had 2 High Risk pregnancies (hospitalization for both) I was given Zoloft and read all I could but I also learned after talking to my Doctors (and my Dad who is a Dr) that the stress/anxiety/depression is far worse for the baby than the LOW risk that taking the medication was. I also suffered from PPD so I was on the zoloft even after delivery and while nursing. For me it was the best decision :) Good Luck

Hi K.,

I have depression, and have been on a few different antidepressants over the last 12 years. While I was pregnant, my psychiatrist switched me from celexa to zoloft at about twenty weeks, and I took welbutrin throughout the pregnancy. From the start of the pregnancy he told me that the amount of the medicines that I passed to the baby were infinitesimal (basically ZERO) and that the wellbeing of the mother is far more important than the minute risk to the baby from medicines. So, I am happy to say that I didn't lose it during my pregnancy, or after when I was nursing AND on the meds. My boy is now 3.5 years old and the happiest, easiest, sweetest child I have ever known. And he's smart as a whip.

As for what you read online, I have this to offer. Unless you can understand the clinical information published by researchers, what you find on the web can be exceedingly misleading.

One last thing is that a lot of people may tell you that you should not be taking these meds. That is because we think of depression/anxiety and other brain chemistry imbalances at "mental illness". I like to reframe it like this: I have depression, my sister has diabetes, and another sister has thyroid disorder. Each of us is on medications EVERY DAY to stay healthy. Hypothetically speaking, which one of us should NOT take meds? Joe Q Public needs to come into the 21st century.

My best to you.

.

Ok, I've read all of the other responses before I typed my response. I want you to know that if it helps you feel better, then you need to take it. When I was pregnant, I was suffered major anxiety. I was on Zoloft and several other medications. I weaned myself off of the other meds, but stayed on my Zoloft throughout my 2nd and 3rd trimesters and during breastfeeding. My son is fine, and my pediatrician has said that he will not be autistic. Please, take care of you and do what you need to do. Your child is much better off if you are healthy and happy. I was on Zoloft with my 2nd baby, but not my first. I have not seen a difference whatsoever between my 2 children. If you need to talk, send me a message. I have been there and know it's a hard choice.
Also, if you decide to stop for some reason, please do not stop cold turkey....especially if you have never taken this type of medication before. You can go through major withdrawals. When I went off some of my other meds, I really suffered with withdrawals. It was awful. Your doctor can tell you how to wean off it.

I am also on Zoloft and have been on it through my last 2 pregnancies. I actually switched from another antidepressant to Zoloft because we are trying for our 4th and my OB said this was safer. Don't believe everything you hear. I think they have to put all of the info out there but it is very rare that there are any problems with pregnancy and Zoloft.

Hi K.,

I can't speak about Zoloft specifically b/c I haven't been on that one, but I want to tell you that I was diagnosed with severe depression a day before I found out I was pregnant with my now 2 1/2 year old. My doctor put me on Prozac, which is not considered totally safe for pregnancy, but he explained to me that I was so depressed my body was shutting down (hair falling out, complete fatigue, etc) and this would do more harm to the baby than the medication. I was on Prozac the entire pregnancy, along with counseling, and my beautiful daughter is now 2 1/2 and healthy as can be.

I'm currently pregnant again and this time on Wellbutrin (I had switched about a year ago because it worked better for me than the Prozac). I've cut my dose in half from what it was while pregnant, but I was unable to get off of it completely.

I've finally come to the conclusion that although in an ideal world I wouldn't be on any medication while pregnant, my brain chemistry for whatever reason just doesn't work right on it's own. Like you, I can clearly see the benefits of me being on the right amount of medication. I can think more clearly, I'm a better wife and mother, I end up being able to take better care of myself with diet and exercise when I'm not feeling depressed, and all these things end up benefiting my baby and my other children. I hope someday to be able to get off meds altogether, but now is not that day and I have peace knowing that I'm doing the best I can with the cards I've been dealt. I hope that helps you.

BTW, I also plan to breastfeed while on medication, for the same reasons I've mentioned above. I talked it over with my doctor and he supports my decision.

Here is a article I found on the subject. Maybe you have already seen but maybe not. It suggest that any medical concerns would be within the 3rd trimester and that your doctor my decide to wean you off of it at that time.

http://depression.emedtv.com/zoloft/zoloft-and-pregnancy....

I was on zoloft during both of my pregnancies. I have 2 completely healthy boys. If it is working, don't be afraid to take it.

I am pregnant w/my 5th and have also just started taking Lexapro, just 1/2 pill which is 5mg I think. My dr also said that it is category C, which means, don't take it unless you have to....unless the things you are experiencing would be worse than if you didn't take the medicine. My midwife said that she has had mommas on zoloft the entire pregnancy. I think you can always fine the "worst case scenario" on the internet, and can really freak yourself out about it. Call your dr and discuss your concerns. If it's helping, keep taking it. My dr also said that I could go to every other day if I felt like it was enough. Talk to your dr. Let him hear your concerns & work with you on the best option. My midwife also said if I am having symptoms of depression now (at 24 wks) then they would worsen after giving birth, and I understood her and didn't want that scenario either! I haven't asked about nursing & taking the meds yet....I'll cross that bridge a little later. I hope you have a great end of the pregnancy & a great birth!

I took Zoloft as well, I was going through a divorce while I was pregnant, my husband left me when I was 16 wks pregnant just 3 months after we got married and had a lot of complications throughout my entire pregnancy due to the stress and anxiety. I had preterm labor several times and ended up having an emergency c-section due to fetal distress. No birth defects but he was a very sick baby and at 33 months old he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder..

I wish you luck and I would talk to the dr about your concerns.
Many Blessings..
M.

All doctors are comfortable with prescribing different drugs. My regular OB prescribed me Zoloft with NO QUESTIONS asked. I also saw a high risk ob and I asked him and he didn't want to tell me what to do or go against the other doctor but told me he would not have prescribed it to me. He recommended if I needed it that bad I should start with counseling first to see if that helped. He wouldn't tell me negative things about Zoloft but gave me a link to read about it so I would just say to google it and pregnancy and see how you feel about it before you take it. I chose to not take it. But everyones situation is different! Good luck with your pregnancy

I took it at the beginning of my first pregnancy because I was already taking it. With my 2nd I started taking it during pregnancy. My kids are fine (I guess) LOL! Seriously, they didn't have any effects. Good Luck! You need to take care of yourself too.

I took Zoloft for the same thing during both my pregnancies, and everything was fine. My OB felt that the benefits outweighed the risks, and looking back, I have to agree. It was much better to be emotionally stable, especially with other children to take care of. Don't feel guilty - baby needs a healthy mommy, and labor and delivery is impeded by anxiety, so there will ultimately be less stress for the baby. The only thing the pediatrician noticed was a bit more altertness than the typical newborn, as the medication worked out of their systems. No anxiety or withdrawl problems.

I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me privately if you'd like to talk further :)

My OB also put me on 50mg of Zoloft during this pregnancy, however, she said I'd need to stop taking it about a month before having my baby and then I could start back up after giving birth.

Samantha has been perfect for the sonograms and she is CONSTANTLY kicking:). 50mg is seriously such a small dose that it is really just enough to get you to handle things on your own. Since 28 days before my scheduled cesarean I've been back off of the meds and I have only noticed a slight regression. I am better able to handle my own anxiety and I haven't gotten to that horribly depressed point I was at the beginning. I'm going to start back up after my c-section, but I don't think I'll be taking meds forever due to this change...I just don't want to suffer postpartnum, you know? I've also never been on ANY kind of meds before.

*EDIT* I read some of the responses and thought I'd add a tidbit. I quit "cold turkey" at 28 days before my scheduled c-section. The second and third day after I did get upset quite easily, but that might have been in my head...and my husband's too because he was especially moody and it seemed like he was looking for a reason to be upset. After those few days everything was fine and I have had no side effects whatsoever. Again, I plan to start up once I give birth, but the doctor didn't tell me to "wean" off of the medication.

I would not take it. Especially NOT in your third trimester. That is when you are NOT supposed to take Xoloft. Trust me! I have gone through this. I waited and started it after birth. The amount that is excreted in breast milk is so minimal. Do not take during your third trimester. It has been associated with birth defects.