Community› The Bump Message Boards› Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression
New Discussion

coming over early? Intro

Tippy05Tippy05 member
in Postpartum Depression

I am 24 weeks pregnant and was just prescribed Zoloft yesterday for depression.  I hate to admit it and feel embarrassed that it's come this far.

I really, really, really didn't want to be on any medications while pregnant but always knew it was a possibility.  I've been dealing with depression for several years but when I wanted to get pregnant with DS just stopped cold turkey.  Now that I'm pregnant again, things have gotten worse.  Plus, there are a lot of stressful events going on at home and work has never been more stressful!  Now the thought of going on meds while pregnant is stressing me out even more and seems to be making everything worse. My dr was concerned that this is depression and is setting me up for ppd.  I trust her, but still worry that I'm doing the right thing.

From what I understand, no meds are really ever considered "safe" and the side effects of Zoloft, though real, are small.  I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance that (1) I'm not alone and (2) that taking Zoloft isn't going to harm my baby.  Knowing that I could potentially cause some problem with LO really freaks me out and has me questioning if I should even taking anything.

Any help/advice/suggestions you girls have would be great.  I'm just having a really hard time accepting this and need some feedback.

Thanks!

Report Reply to Post

Re: coming over early? Intro

  • swimiz500swimiz500 member

    I was on Effexor and Klonopin before pregnancy. I knew (and my doctor agreed) that I would never make it without some kind of meds. My psychiatrist put me on Zoloft, because apparently it is the most tested and safest drug during pregnancy. I took it from weeks 6-21.

    Now, for me, the Zoloft just didn't cut it, and my OB and MFM doctor agreed that I needed to be back on Effexor, and even Klonopin since I was out of the first trimester. I went on the Effexor from weeks 21-35 (when I had my c-section, totally unrelated to the meds, I had bp issues), and happily did not need the Klonopin.

    Without meds I really think the stress would have been so much more harm on my pregnancy than the meds were. As it turned out, I had a very healthy little girl, with no issues whatsoever.

    My doctors said that in the studies, the chances of having an issue related to Zoloft was virtually non-existent, so minuscule that the pros of taking it heavily outweighed the cons. I think if your doctor thinks it is important, then feel confident that it is okay. Especially since you are already so far along, the risks are even lower.

    Please don't feel embarrassed-  it is a medical condition, and you are doing the very best thing for you and your DS by getting it in check. I promise, it is much better for DS to have a mommy who isn't depressed. I know what you are going through- I too was scared- but in the end, I knew it was absolutely the best thing I could do for DD, and I stand by the decision. Good luck, and hang in there- it will get better :)

     

    image
    image My goofy little blog image 

    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • phq2011phq2011
    Zoloft is well tested. When my doctor put me on it (though it didn't work out for other reasons), the risk for side effects are low. Know them and be as aware as possible. The only "concern" my psychiatrist warned me about is that if taken in high doses (over 100mg) it may cause a slightly caullicy baby. Nothing to worry about. I hope it works for you.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • bunnybiterbunnybiter
    You are definitely not alone. I also started taking something early, which I think helped more than waiting until after my DS was born. Though I can't speak for zoloft, I can tell you my antidepressant had no adverse effects on my baby that we know of.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"