Re: Sertraline while pregnant?
Originally Posted by
Lucidite1
Hello,
I'm taking sertraline since mid March. Before, I was taking Paroxetine, but my doctor switched the meds when I infrmed her I wanted to have a child.
Paroxetine is the only SSRI for which there is good evidence of harm to the developing fetus. Sertraline is the preferred SSRI because little if any of it is expressed in breast milk.
I will visit my doctor in mid July (no earlier dates available :() and we'll see if I can lower my dose or even stop taking it. But I'm scared sertraline will hurt my child. Especially in this first trimester.
Unfortunately, antidepressants and pregnancy is an issue where there is no clear cut 'right' answer for maternal anxiety and/or depression may also impact the baby during both gestation and childhood. Babies born to anxious or depressed mothers tend to have lower birth weights, be born prematurely and have impaired neuronal development. As children and adults they are more prone to asthma and learning difficulties. They are also much more likely to develop anxiety disorders and/or depression later in life.
See also:
Prenatal stress may have lifelong effects, study shows,
Childhood psychiatric symptom risk strongly linked to adverse exposures during gestation
The Effects of Prenatal Stress on Child Behavioural and Cognitive Outcomes Start at the Beginning
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The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.
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