Antidepressants while pregnant

That is so bizarre! My GP told me that you gotta weigh up which would be worse for the baby. Coming off them and being in a really bad place mentally, or staying on them and risking any effects on the baby. When I spoke to my midwife about it she said that they’ve stopped testing babies after birth for the drug as there was enough evidence to say that baby won’t have withdrawals. I was on 20mg of escitalopram but halved it. I’d speak to your midwife instead! definitely ween yourself off if you do wanna stop, not cold turkey as this isn’t healthy <3

thank you lovely. My midwife knows I'm on 100mg of sertraline but didn't say anything about not taking them but my GP was dead against it so I can't even get them on my repeat prescription anymore as it's been taken off my medical record. Just struggling knowing that I can't take them when I've relied on them so for long

No worries! I just proper feel for you. I would tell your midwife what your GP has said, and how you’re feeling. They can send prescription requests to your GP. Many women are on antidepressants and have beautiful happy and healthy babies. I think your GP needs to do some more research/training 👀

seems like they definitely do! Your comments have made me feel a lot better about being on them! I've been taking them since January so have been on them since finding out I'm pregnant. Tried to get my repeat prescription sorted with a new GP but they wouldn't have it, I'll get in touch with my midwife tomorrow, thank you so much ❤️

I’m on citalopram and been told to stay on that as it’s safe in pregnancy both midwives and gp recommended

Pretty sure sertraline is one of the ones that's safe to take in pregnancy because I used to be on it and my midwife said if I need it again then that wouldn't be an issue. Thankfully haven't needed it. Going cold turkey is not good, no idea why they suggested you to do that. Sounds like you maybe need a second opinion from another GP!

Sertraline is safe to take during pregnancy as long as your midwife knows. Your GP is doing you a disservice by advising you to do that. Just stopping your tablets can come with some horrible side effects which at the very least might make you feel more sick and impact on your sleep. I’m sorry you have experienced such poor care from your GP.

That is such bad advice from your GP and very bad practice preventing you from continuing with your meds. I used to be on antidepressants but weaned off when I was ready. I then fell pregnant months later and started to feel bad again. My GP actually offered me the chance to start on them again because you need to weigh up the benefits and risks. In order to have a healthy baby you need a healthy mum. Coming off medication like that is never recommended in normal circumstances never mind during pregnancy. I’m honestly shocked they did that to you. I would also suggest you speak to your midwife about it because they can request you get the medication again 🩷

I’ve been told to keep taking mine- 100mg sertraline too- as risk of postnatal depression is higher if I came off them…. I asked about withdrawal and she said it wasn’t a high dose but could be weaned down when getting closer to due date if that’s what I wanted…. ❤️ hope you get what you need lovely- I would be lost without them! Xxx

Also, to add… I was on fluoxetine during last pregnancy and my baby girl was absolutely fine :) xxx

Thank you for your comments everyone. I had a really bad night and morning mentally and have even had to call out from work because of it. Currently trying to make an appointment with my GP to talk about it because if it's safe to take and a lot of other people are, I don't see why I can't🫶