Taking Zoloft through pregnancy?

[HippieMamaBE]

If this doesn't belong here, feel free to move it!

I'm currently taking 50mg of Zoloft a day, my MW put me back on it about a month ago (I'm 24 weeks right now) because I could feel myself slipping. I have a history of PPD, which has gotten worse with each baby, and I am determined to not let it get me this time. So, after a discussion with her two appts ago, she and I decided that for the time being the best thing for me, and my family, would be to restart the Zoloft. I feel great, and I really am hesitant to go off it. At my last appt, I saw another MW, who is new to the practice. I really, really like her, but she brought up possibly stopping the Zoloft come third trimester. She did say that studies have shown that there is a higher rate of babies admitted to the NICU that are born to moms who take Zoloft(or another SSRI) in the third trimester. She did say I could try adding B6 and ten minutes of moderate walking daily, to see if that increased my serotonin levels enough to stay off the Zoloft, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. I am afraid that now that I have the Zoloft in my system, and I feel balanced and normal, that if I drop it, and esp in the third trimester, it's going to set me way back. My first baby was a 34 week stillborn, so the standard for that practice is to start NST's at 32 weeks and do an U/S at 34 weeks, which causes a lot of stress for me(that's another issue we have to work out). I feel much better staying on the Zoloft, and maintaining the drug levels, but I'm also worried about the baby. Has anyone taken the Zoloft their entire pregnancy without issues?

[Bokonon]

Sorry for the double post!

[Bokonon]

I took Zoloft through both my pregnancies. My doctor and I determined that the benefits outweighed the risks, and it sounds like that would be the case for you as well.

Both my babies were NICU babies, but because they were preemies due to severe preeclampsia. They had their own issues related to prematurity, but none of the Zoloft-related potential issues. I was on 100mg/day through both pregnancies.

I know it's scary - it feels like a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation, but there are also studies showing that babies of medicated moms have better outcomes than babies of moms who SHOULD be medicated but aren't.

Best wishes to you - I hope regardless of your treatment, you have a happy and healthy remainder of the pregnancy!

[HippieMamaBE]

THanks so much for the reply, mama. That's kinda how I am feeling, damned if I do, damned if I don't. I think I'm leaning toward staying on it, for both my sake,and all of my kiddos sakes. Thanks!

[LynnS6]

I was on Paxil all through my second pregnancy. Not only did I need to stay on it, I needed an increase about a week postpartum. Dd was a little 'jittery' when she was born, but it passed quickly and I'm not entirely sure that was the Paxil. I've never had any other issues with her, even though she nursed for 4 years while I was taking Paxil.

And remember that a higher risk of being admitted to the NICU may be something like 2 babies out of 1000 vs. 1 baby out of 1000. (I don't know the actual stats, but you do need to put it in persepctive.)

[mojobin]

I was on 50 mg of zoloft for my entire pregnancy and had no issues and practically no ppd. I continue to nurse medicated and have a beautiful, happy 9mos old. I have never heard of the studies you mention and my midwife fully supported/encouraged my decision to stay on my prescription.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

What I personally did while on paxil was to take myself off of it at 7 months pg so that there would be no risk to the baby at birth for breathing difficulties then went right on zoloft the week he was born.

[juliebird]

My last pregnancy (my third baby), I took Zoloft throughout the entire pregnancy- 300 mg. (My doctor says I'm a ultra metabolizer) and my son was perfectly fine, though he had the jitters for the first few hours. So now in my fourth pregnancy, I've been on 200 mg throughout this pregnancy. But now in the last trimester, my doctors are weaning me off so that the baby won't have the jitters again- HOWEVER my psychiatrist is watching me very carefully. She is worried that with my extensive history of depression that I'll become symptomatic again. And she said if I do, then she will not hesitate to increase me again because like PP said, "The benefits will outweigh the risks" should that happen. I know too, that the farther along in pregnancy, the more issues I have even with the meds, so don't mess with it if its working, ykwim?

Hugs momma- it's going to be ok.

[newmomroxi]

I'm glad to see this thread. I'm 9 weeks along and taking 25 mg zoloft. I too feel that I'm 'damned if I do, damned if I don't' but ultimately I am feeling 100x better on this medication. I will continue taking it and praying for a healthy, happy baby. Good luck to you!

[Aliy]

i was on it with my second pregnancy but i self weaned around 8 months or so about 6 weeks before due date. i just worried about the baby and coming off of it so quickly. i was on a low does though. I'm begining to wonder if i need to go back on it with this pregnancy but I really would prefer to not but i'm not sure. I get S.A.D pretty bad and we moved to the West (wet) coast 6 months ago and i'm really starting to feel more down as winter is approaching.

I actually plan to talk to my DH about it today and see if we can come up with an action plan. cause I stay home with the kids all day. I have pelvic pain that prevents me from walking very far. I don't know anyone in the area and finical difficulties are all really contributing factors to my lack of happy.

I really hope you can come up with a good solution for you. Do some deep soul serching and maybe talking with you baby and see if you can get a feel for how baby feels about it. ( yea it may sound werid some can do it some don't)

hugs to you and wishing you the best

[ChinaDoll]

I took Zoloft throughout my 2nd pregnancy. He and I were both perfectly healthy throughout the pregnancy. He had no trouble breathing at birth, no heart trouble, no trouble nursing. My OB was comfortable with my taking it; his own wife took it through her pregnancy. He's 6 years old now, and has always been in perfect health.

I can't tell you what to do for you, but that's what I did and I don't regret it at ALL - I did still experience some PPD after his birth, but not as severe, and was able to wean off the meds completely by the time he was 3. While I needed them, they were great.

[mom0810]

Another one here who took zoloft throughout pregnancy and nursing. No issues whatsoever. Everyone was/is fine. Ds will be 3 in October. Smart (way ahead of his age) and growing (he's the size of a 4 year old) and healthy.