Doc Suggested Zoloft

treble-steph

I have my 25 week appointment on Friday and my doctor had me take an anxiety/depression screening. I had messaged her about some of my feelings and struggles over the past few weeks (loneliness and inadequacy as a parent, fear of adding another child to my list of responsibilities as a full time working mom, etc.), and after reviewing the results today she suggested me doing some research on Zoloft to see if it's something I would want to start taking at my appointment on Friday. Any moms out there take antidepressants/anti-anxiety meds while pregnant, and is it something I will have to take for the rest of my life once I start?

sunshinesea22

To answer your question: Yes I currently take Wellbutrin, which doesn’t fall into the same drug category as Zoloft, but is an antidepressant. Zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and that class of medications is considered one of the most safe options for pregnant and breastfeeding women. My own psychiatrist suggested a switch to it if I anted to BF. I opted not to, but that’s a conversation for a different day. 

No, you do NOT have to take an antidepressant for the rest of your life. Many people take them for short term and are able to taper off and go on living perfectly happy lives. If you’re already feeling stressed, down, etc now, then it’s likely you’re at a higher risk for postpartum depression. Personally, as someone who lives with very well managed chronic depression, I would suggest you give it a try. My personal thought process is that I want to be the best version of myself for my baby. I know from years of various meds vs. no meds, that I am my best self when my brain chemistry is well balanced and I’m attending therapy regularly. I’m in a really good place now, which is part of why I didn’t want to switch things up with my medication. 

If you decide to try the Zoloft, know that it can take some time to get the “right” dosage for your own body and if you try it and decide that it’s not right for you, you can always stop it (with direction from your doctor). 

There’s no shame in needing a little help balancing brain chemistry. It’s a terrible stigma that prevents millions of people from living their best lives and I wish I could shout it from the mountains just how amazing life can be when depression is well managed.

treble-steph

@sunshinesea22 thank you so much for being honest with your answer! I was nervous posting this question because I didn't know if anyone would feel comfortable commenting on it (even though this is a fairly anonymous site).

pourmeanothermocktail

Hi! This community operates differently than most forums. We're here to build a support group. If you'd like to join, please post in introduction in the Intro thread, read through the ***READ THIS FIRST*** thread, and get to know us. This sort of question usually belongs more in the Mental Health.

We tend to discourage one-off posts that are just a single person asking a question just about them, and are geared towards a common discussion point as a thread, so everyone can discuss the same topics in the same place.

No personal experience, but j know plenty of women who have gone on Zoloft either pregnant or nursing. The website/phone number for Infant Risk is considered the authority in risk vs benefit of medication for pregnant/nursing people. They have a paid app, very worth the small amount of money that brings all the info to your fingertips.