(It goes without saying, but it’s too important not to say it: I’m not a doctor and please do not consider this medical advice. This is solely from my experience. Please seek the support of your Doctor if you are considering going on medication.)
Happy Tuesday, sweet friends! First, I need to THANK YOU all for your support on our announcement in yesterday’s post! We could not be more excited for our future in our new home.
OK. Let’s get to it. I’ve been getting this question a lot, and I wanted to share the answer on here so anyone who is in need can easily find it…
If you’ve been around here for a few years, you know that I went on Zoloft about a year and a half after the birth of my first daughter. I struggled with Postpartum Anxiety when she was about 5 months old, and while I had it under control and was doing all I could to combat it, that damn anxiety reared its ugly head again shortly after I had a chemical pregnancy.
I was done battling. I wanted my life back, so I decided to get help. It was a big step for me, and one I didn’t take lightly. (You can read more about it here.)
It was also, hands down, the best decision of my life. It helped me avoid Postpartum Anxiety after my second pregnancy. (Read more about that here.)
continue reading below…
I was on Zoloft throughout my entire second pregnancy. I had reservations, but the benefit of staying on it FAR outweighed the very minimal risk.
Sure, early in my pregnancy I had way too many late nights of Googling “Zoloft and pregnancy,” reading other’s accounts of their experience of being on Zoloft while pregnant. I was still nervous and unsure about taking any medicine during pregnancy. But, I was more terrified of what was on the other side if I stopped.
So, I did what was best for me. I stopped Googling and I took comfort in knowing that I am a better mom when I’m on something t to help my anxiety. And if it was better for me, it was better for the baby inside of me.
All along, and this is CRUCIAL, I had the support of my doctor. I shared my experience after my first baby, and that I was on Zoloft when I had gotten pregnant.
She didn’t bat an eye. She assured me that my well-being was the most important thing – for me AND for my baby. And that staying on Zoloft was the thing to do.
I was relieved.
During our Level 2 ultrasound and meeting with the genetic specialist and Dr at 20 weeks, I was told that being on Zoloft was fine. And honest, nothing out of the ordinary. I felt completely supported in my decision and didn’t think much about it after that.
My baby girl was born healthy, thank God, and I continued taking Zoloft into postpartum. I thoroughly enjoyed the newborn phase and soaked it all up.
So now, onto my third pregnancy. Yes, I’m still on Zoloft.
And this time, I don’t think about it at all. Much like working out, getting some sunshine and spending quality time with those I love, Zoloft is just a part of the whole equation of what makes me feel like my best self.
There’s an unfortunate stigma around anti-anxiety meds, especially for pregnant and postpartum mamas. We are doing a HUGE disservice to mamas if we don’t openly talk about how we can thrive in motherhood. My hope is that by talking openly about taking Zoloft, I can help at least ONE mama feel comfortable enough to reach out to her husband, her support system, her doctor and ask for help.
Taking meds does NOT make you weak. It takes strength and courage to ask for help.
A quick note about dosage. Sometimes I get asked about how much I take, and it’s tricky.
I don’t normally like to talk dosage because it’s so different for everyone. Because I rarely take medication, I started on a very low dose and saw great results. I continued on a low dose throughout the pregnancy, and as my due date approached, I started to increase the dose.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions about postpartum anxiety, how I coped and taking Zoloft (or other anti-anxiety/depression meds) during pregnancy.
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Thanks for writing this! There is so much fear and shame around not feeling okay 100% of the time and your sentiments are what most of my clients come into my therapy office describe. Keep up the good work!
Best,
Jessica Strang, PsyD.
Suzanne, thank you for sharing your experience. While I never experienced PPD personally, I know friends and family whom did and many suffered needlessly out of shame for speaking up about how they were feeling. Your openness and honesty will help women not feel alone and help empower them to speak up to get help. It also helps other share your story in hopes of helping friends or family. Thank you for this!!! <3
Suzanne, as a person who has suffered anxiety, along with depression and other issues from severe childhood trauma, I want to applaud you for addressing and bringing the topic of PPD out into the open. Your courage to speak out to a society that would choose pill shaming vs dealing with a very serious issue such as PPD and Anxiety Disorder is vital. The fact that you chose to take the self care steps proactively so that you could parent your children in a healthy, stable manner speaks volumes to your mature, well informed outlook. Good for you that you did what needed to be done with your own health so as to spare your children an absentee mother as I suffered from! I would like to ask your permission to share this particular blog with my audience, on my web page. I am a mental health advocate/survivor and our only daughter is now 28. I am sure many of my younger readers could benefit from reading this content. Keep talking! Respectfully, Alice
Thanks so much for sharing this! I went on Zoloft at 6 weeks PP with my first and it was the best thing I could do for my family. I made the choice to go off of it for baby number 2, but plan to start it again the moment she’s born. There’s no shame in making a decision to create a better you. You deserve it and your family deserves it!
I’m so glad you shared this! I suffered from undiagnosed PPD and anxiety with my first two babies and I regret not getting help. I just thought that there was something fundamentally wrong with me, and that I needed to suck it up and deal. Finally, after my 3rd baby was born, I hit bottom and sought help from my OB. It has taken me a long time to admit that I’m on Zoloft without feeling like a failure, but I finally realize that it takes strength to seek help.
Girl! I discovered your blog by some coincidence while peaking through Instagram this morning! Can I just say, you are so genuine and charming. I too have my first baby girl named Harper whine spent her first year living downtown Chicago and experiencing the beautiful city! So much to do every day but I suffered with sever postpardom anxiety which took so much joy out of that period of mommyhood😫. I found out I was pregnant with my second when Harper was 5 months!!! I was terrified but wanted that baby girl so badly. I feared the continued postpardom anxiety. I was too ashamed to admit. After Emmy was born, 6 months after…… I finally started my Zoloft!!!! I was a whole new mommy!!!!! So bummed I’d waited sooooooo long! Almost 2 full years of struggling while feeling the guilt of not being the best mommy and soaking this all up. This Christmas we found out we were pregnant with baby girl number 3!!! I was so scared about continuing the medicine but the benefits outweighed the risk! So relate to the late night googles and research! I have been so much more able to enjoy this pregnancy. Baby Sawyer is due this month and I have been eagerly awaiting! This is a whole new chapter. Three girls!! Happy Mama! Living in Southern Alabama these days and loving it!
I will continue to follow your blog! Love the little dose of Chicago Mama and what I miss from home and an awesome sense of style and self care to follow along with! Keep posting your no-fuss, chic Mama Style! Love it! Congrats on your little baby #3 as well!
Hi Stephanie! I am SO glad you stumbled across my blog and shared your story! Thank you for being so open – I’m sure it will help other mamas who are struggling, too. And congrats on your 3 baby girls!! That’s so exciting. So happy for you that you can enjoy it more now – Zoloft is a life-changer, for sure. I truly appreciate your support! <3
Hi there, I’m 27 weeks pregnant and after my doctor’s recommendations considering going on Zoloft. It kinda scares me but hearing more experiences like yours makes me feel more comfortable with it. However I had a question, you took it all the way through your pregnancy, after you had your baby did they or do they go through any sort of withdrawal from it? Or is what they get too small?
Hi Sadie – congrats to you! I’ve taken Zoloft throughout 2 pregnancies and haven’t noticed any sort of withdrawals from either babes. I also end up increasing my dosage as I get closer to delivery. I hope this helps! xo