Antidepressants while pregnant

Has anyone started on antidepressants whilst pregnant and never had them before?

I’m really struggling with my mental health right now and think I have done for a long time. I had therapy after my first baby because I was struggling but I feel like even the coping strategies they gave me during therapy aren’t working now and I might need to ask my midwife if I should go on antidepressants. I’m just a bit worried about how they will affect me having never been on them before, plus already having a toddler to take care of at home.

Any advice would be appreciated

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I started last week, never taken them before, I was nervous but the results have been amazing for me. They say it can take several weeks to kick in but I’ve noticed a difference already. There are safe anti depressants to take while pregnant, that’s what I needed clarity on when making a decision. My midwife recommended I go on them based on how I described my mental health, so I would have a conversation with her and go from there. If you want to chat, I’m here. I had a terrible first trimester and finally feeling better in my 13th week!

I was on 100mg of Zoloft my entire pregnancy. And still am after I had my twins
My twins are perfect. No issues
And without it- I couldn’t be a good mom for them
There’s so many out there. You will find out that makes you feel wonderful with no side effects

I’m on Venlafaxine (SNRI) & amitriptyline (Tricyclic Antidepressant) but that’s after being reviewed by a psychiatrist, consultant and the perinatal mental health team. I have a history of suicidal thoughts, self harm,both pre and postnatal depression & postnatal psychosis and mental health problems for all of my life. I’ve got PTSD, depression anxiety and insomnia. I’m awaiting a diagnosis of BPD too. I was on amitryptiline with my last child, after reviewing this, and that I tried “safe meds” like sertraline while pumping afterwards and pregnant and ended up with psychosis, everyone’s in agreement that I need to stay on my meds and not come off them.

There’s a minimal risk (like 1 in 2500) of problems with Venlafaxine, but it’s safer for me to be on them than off.

Every case and everyone is different, if your doctor and you both agree to trial safer medication than do it!

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