Antidepressants and Pregnancy

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Ok, so here's my dilemma.  I have been on Zoloft since right after Gabe was born in Aug 08.  I was not on any antidepressants during my preg with him but I was on them for a couple years prior to that pregnancy.  So, now that I am pregnant again I need to decide whether to continue taking the Zoloft, try switching to something else or just eliminate any antidepressant until after I give birth.  I'm leaning towards the not taking anything at all.  My depression isn't so bad that it would make a huge difference but I would be a lot moodier than just normal hormonal stuff.  

Has anyone taken Zoloft or any other AD while pregnant?  I had heard that Zoloft was one of the safest ones but I was researching it and found the following:

There have not been any major studies done on it relating to pregnancy
The few small studies have not shown an increased risk of birth defects above the risk of the general population
Small studies have shown a risk for pulmonary hypertension at birth if taken during the 3rd trimester
They have also shown a risk for the baby having withdrawals if taken during the 3rd trimester
Other studies have shown that children whose mothers took zoloft during pregnancy scored lower on motor skills assessments.

Sounds to me like the best option is to stop taking it.  What does everyone else think?  Any experiences you can share?  I have not taken it since I found out I got a pos. preg. test Sunday.  I won't get to see my doc til this coming monday.

[rebekah385]

I am currently pregnant (8 weeks) and I am on Wellbutrin for Depression and ADD, my doctor tells me that it is one of the safest you can be on and has shown little to no effect on the baby even in the beggining and end of pregnancy (i'm not sure about the breastfeeding thing while on it i hav'nt gotten that far yet) I have also reseached it on my own and what my docotor told me seems to be backed up by the FDA and the drug makers. so it maybe something to discuss with your doctor, this is my first time on any AD during pregnancy and if i had'nt gotten an ok about it, I would'nt be taking it right now. Good luck

[Grandmatobe]

Only you and your doctor can weigh the pros and cons.  If you will be stressed out signficantly during the pregnancy if you quit, then that might outweigh the use of the pills.  You definitely do NOT want to go off AD's "cold turkey".  Besides the brain zaps, it is very stressful for you and the baby.  If the doctor suggests you remove the Zoloft, he should titrate you down slowly (say, if you were on 50 mg, then go to 25 for a few days and then 10 for a few days, etc).  I don't know the half-life of this particular AD off the top of my head, but some of them can be reduced more quickly than others due to their half-life.

Good luck and be sure to take care of yourself too.

[April2]

My friend said she took Zoloft in her pregnancy and while breastfeeding with one of her children. Now she did wonder about it because she said this child has struggled more in school than the others and wondered if that could be why but he's still a smart little boy, funny, etc, just was a bit delayed with his speech and a little behind on his reading, etc. but it's not bad and he's only 7. I've already seen vast improvements in his speech and school work. And she really has no basis to go on that it was because of the Zoloft that she took. She said it just made her wonder about that.
I'm sure it is fine since so many women have had to take it during pregnancy but it would be wise to get your doctor's opinion on it and maybe a second opinion from another doctor too couldn't hurt.
Congratulations on the pregnancy, by the way! Hope you get some answers soon.

[Ready_4_Baby_2]

I asked a genetic counselor about Zoloft while pregnant and she says studies show its ok to take until about the 20th week. After that they suggest you stop, and probably taper it off coming up to your 20th week. Now I honestly cant remember what would happen if you continue to take it but she says if the depression is bad it outweighs what may happen to the baby. I think it may be a respirtory (msp) problem in the baby after 20 weeks i believe. Sorry I cant remember that part but I remember up to 20.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Thanks for your experience.  I know that I did just fine with an AD during my last pregnancy and I feel more relaxed and less stressed this go-round because I'm not working.  I guess the only way to know 100% is to go OFF the medication.  At this point, that is my plan.  I'm on a low-mid range dose so it shouldn't be too hard.  If I get to a point where I feel I need to be back on it, I will talk with my Doc.  I just don't like taking anything that I don't ABSOLUTELY have to while I'm pregnant.  I'm even hesitant to take tylenol.  

[Limonada]

I was on Citalopram (Celexa) for health anxiety for a year from Feb 2008 to Mar 2009.  I weaned off of it in preparation for TTC since I'd been in therapy dealing with my issues and had made enough progress that I felt well enough to get off of the drug - and I didn't feel comfortable continuing to take it while being pregnant.

My GP had told me that Celexa was one of the most "mild" ADs and that, if my anxiety were to flare up again, I could always go back on it.  Luckily, I've been fine throughout my pregnancy so far....aside from the normal hormonal stuff.

I don't think that enough studies have been done to really indicate that ADs are 100% safe during pregnancy.  In fact, I've read an article about a higher incidence of birth defects (heart defects in particular) when women took ADs during pregnancy - I think Xanax was the example used....but I can't quite remember.

The bottom line, though, is that if you're going to be unwell if you're not on an AD, then you might actually be doing more harm than good to the baby.  Only you can make that call.

Good luck - and congratulations :-)

[Quinns momma]

My sister took zoloft the entire duration of 2 of her pregnancies and her and her babies had no complications...  You are your doctor will decide what is best for you.  Do not stop cold turkey. Your doctor will insturct you how to wean yourself off if that is your intention.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Well I managed to find a doc who can get me in tomorrow morning, so I'm going to ask her about it then.  I really don't think I want to risk it though.  Breastfeeding was the reason I went on to Zoloft instead of going back on Lexapro.  It works well and I didn't have any problems while breastfeeding, which I did for about 3 1/2 months. But while the baby is still developing I just don't think my depression is bad enough to outweigh the risks to the baby.  I guess now my question is how am I supposed to stop taking it.  I know they suggest tapering off....I stopped my lexapro pretty much cold turkey but the strange feelings and brain zaps were crazy.

[wantinajellybean]

I do know that my friend took antidepressants while she was pregnant due to prepartum depression, but I can't remember the name. She did however, have to switch to zoloft after she gave birth because of breast feeding.

[martikadragoon]

I think you need to wiegh the risks and benefits to you and decide which has a higher score.
Congrats!!!!!