Anyone been on 100mg of Zoloft (or similar) whilst pregnant? Please share!

[StarLight2]

Hi Everyone,
Well, after years of trying to discontinue Zoloft in the hope of TTC #2 I’ve come to the realisation that I will need to stay on 100mg to keep well enough for DH and DS. My psychiatrist has assured me Zoloft is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants during pregnancy, but there are no reliable studies, so I’m hoping to get experiences from those of you who have been on antidepressants while pregnant.
What type of antidepressant were you on and what dosage?
Did you take it throughout your pregnancy?
Were there any problems with the baby? Did the baby have any withdrawal symptoms after being born?
Were there any long term effects?
Thanks so much – I’d really like to make an informed decision, but it’s hard with the limited studies that have been done.

[baby makes four]

I'm currently on 200mg of zoloft and until last week was also on olazapine as well. i haven't birthed my bub yet but from the research that i have done the risks are decreased birth weight and slightly earlier than expected delivery (main ones) but apart from that my psychiatrist has had lots of mothers that have had little or no effects from zoloft come through the hospital...

HTH

[hopeful1983]

I'm glad to read this post. My husband and I are doing the pre conception planning, and I am on Lovan 20MG. I just saw a doctor yesterday that made a joke of me having kids, and basically said unless I come off the medication I shouldn't have children.

I don't feel comfortable coming off anti depressants. I am happy to go on one that is safer. It made me really upset and stressed to think that I couldn't get any support or advice on what to do.

I think i will see a doctor and get referred to a psychiatrist and obsterician. I am scared of having make the decision to stay on my medication or not to alone.

[sunnyflower]

I was on 50mg of Zoloft whilst pregnant and bf.No noticeable side effects.:)

[Imarni]

I was on Velafaxine with the last from 28 weeks and it's a higher risk for any birthing issues than Zoloft and we were fine. No withdrawal there's no withdrawal you breastfeed anyway.

This time I was withdrawing from Venlafaxine and for 1 week I was taking Venlafaxing and Duloxetine and became pregnant :eek: so I immediately stopped all went into a massive withdrawal and am hoping the baby doesn't have 3 heads when born from all the drugs.

I think you'll be fine though.

[ChloeAnne]

I've been on Lexapro 20mg for the whole pregnancy. I tried to stop but became very depressed. Initially I went back on 10mg, but then in the 3rd trimester another wave of depressive hormones hits you and I had to go back up to 20mg again.

I'm not 36 weeks (I week off term) and have had no problems as yet, bub is measuring perfect size, all seems well.

I initially was worried about the chance of withdrawals and risk to baby, however started seeing the psych at king edward memorial hospital. KEMH has been undertaking the biggest study for the effects of antidepressants in pregnant woman and their babies for a number of years. As my psychiatrist explained they have found that the negative effects of antidepressants are far less then initally anticipated. PLEASE NOTE WHEN I SAY "ANTIDEPRESSANTS IN THIS POST I AM NOT REFERING TO "ALL" ANTIDEPRESSANTS JUST THE ONES TESTED OF WHICH ZOLOFT, LEXAPRO WHERE INCLUDED, YOU COULD TRY CALLING KEHM FOR INFORMATION ON THE TESTING AND WHICH DRUGS WHERE INCLUDED. These new findings are still not available to everyone on mims as this is new research but the following has been found;



The risk of withdrawal symptoms actually only effects 1 in 4 newborns to mothers on antidepressants, and the effect is only a couple of days.
The risk of respiratory problems is very rare.
The risk of preterm birth or underweight baby caused by anti depressive medication is very rare.


Furthermore she said it is far better for have a fussy baby for a couple of days then to have a mother that is falling apart and couldn't even care for a normal baby.

Hope this information helps, my baby is due in 4 weeks I will post up my obervations when he arrives, good or bad, as to how he is :)

[2 Cherubs]

I was on 100mg of Zoloft during both my pregnancies and while breastfeeding and had no side effects.
Also breastfed both babies past 12 months.

[Imarni]

Also there is NO withdrawal if your breastfeeding as the minute amount of drug will be passed over in your milk. There are some studies and no I can't recall how to find them but I have heard mothers that were on Zoloft actually reduced their risk of SIDS because some studies indicate SIDS can be related to a lower serotonin issue and Zoloft will reduce this risk.

[bundmum]

I was on 20mg of cypamil and pregnancy was normal no side effects at all. :thumbsup:

[StarLight2]

Thanks heaps for all your replies - you've really put my mind at ease, I feel much more comfortable with staying on my medication & staying well when I do become pregnant again :) (I should never have googled "antidepressant side effects"!) ChloeAnne, best of luck with the birth of your baby :)