I hope your are well and things are progressing with your treatments and pregnancies ❤️.
Have any of you ladies been prescribed antidepressants during IVF/FETs? It’s been many years since I have taken antidepressants but I’m in a bit of a dark place at the moment and know where my visit to the GP will lead to next week. The problem I have is I’m due my FET in May and really concerned that it will be a red flag to my clinic if I do get prescribed antidepressants and will it harm the FET and/or baby if it works ?
I’ve tried alternative therapies and right now I think (from experience) an antidepressant is what I need.
Thank you in advance for replies - such a sensitive issue
I am sorry to hear that you’re in a dark space, I’ve not been on antidepressants and cannot offer you any advice on this. Nevertheless I wanted to reach out and share that the side effects of the IVF meds and the whole process in my experience can adversely affect your mental health. There are some days where I feel rubbish and tearful and can’t stop crying and I know it’s from the hormones. This has felt worse and definitely had some dark thoughts when I had a failed FET, but through talking it out with close friends and a therapist it has helped and I am coping. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that you’re not alone in feeling like this and may be it’s exacerbated by the meds etc even if you have suffered from bad depression in the past. Hope that helps x
Thank you for taking time out to respond. I agree it’s a really hard time emotionally. I can’t put it down to meds I had my ivf (egg donor) in October last year. I lost my mum last year too and took on a lot at work. I have coped with low mood through the treatment and after. I am lucky to have a well-being service through work with free counselling and it’s not helped. It’s definitely a medication that’s needed I know from past experience.
You can’t take some older antidepressants while pregnant or ttc so worth telling gp about the fet but to my knowledge, there isn’t any reliable evidence antidepressant use impacts conception.
Your clinic might need to know for prescribing reasons but I can’t imagine they would stop your treatment as that would be both unethical and discriminatory. The nurses are usually fairly approachable to talk through concerns though?
Anecdotally, years ago I was given clomid while taking antidepressants from the same clinic I had Ivf from and it was never mentioned as an issue.
Without saying too much, I work with babies and young children and would say that the majority of our parents are on antidepressants through pregnancy. The risks are really small and can be well managed these days. In fact, I encourage some of our parents to see their gp as untreated low mood is more harmful to infant development by far than the antidepressants can be.
My own clinic has a counsellor too that I know some people find helpful? And your gp can usually refer you to a local psychology service for talking therapies (depending on where you are).
Best of luck with your gp and upcoming Fet.
Hi kitty
Thank you for your response and advice. I think if talking were the answer for me I would go for it but so far that’s not helped. I’m in tears most days at work and very irritable to the point of almost ending up with a disciplinary. I know from previous experience I need medication and I am looking forward to a sense of normality again in a few weeks when they start to work. I think if the risks are low I should take them I just hope it doesn’t affect me being able to have the FET.
Hi, I have been taking sertraline on and off for several years now including during treatment and later on during pregnancy. There are several anti depressants that are considered safe during pregnancy (and IVF) and my clinic was aware I was taking them and was fine with it. I didn’t take them during my stim cycle (not because of but just coincidental timing) so I’m not sure about that part but FETs they were always fine with and it’s not effected any outcomes. It’s such a difficult time and you need to look after yourself. I hope things better for you soon xx
Hi Solly
Thanks, it’s good to hear from someone who has been through something similar. Hopefully I will be ok with my FET. I spoke with my partner about it and he thinks if I know I’m feeling so bad then I need to speak to the GP for medication - he sees me in tears everyday and is very supportive but also suggested putting the FET off. I think once I’ve spoken with my GP and have all the information I need I’ll feel better, but it’s a soothing thought to know someone else has gone through fertility treatment and pregnancy safely taking antidepressants. It’s a really sensitive subject so thank you for sharing
I don’t have experience of taking them while doing IVF but I also took sertraline for many years. I was trying to conceive during that time and had asked my GP about this. He had said that it was safe to take even if I got pregnant. Your GP sounds lovely so I would speak to them and see what they say. Also you could check with clinic. My GP said if it helps you stay calm and feel better then that can only be a good thing. Xx
That’s reassuring to hear. You ladies have really put my mind at ease today about the whole situation. I think just knowing I’m not the only person to consider treatment/pregnancy whilst taking antidepressants in its self is really helpful for me to know.
The support from people who understand is priceless isn’t it
hi there. I was prescribed antidepressants (sertraline) while pregnant after IVF. The anxiety of my pregnancy after treatment got too much and I needed help. I was seen by a specialist who advised me and I decided to go ahead. Make sure you seek advice from someone able to discuss any risks with you so you can make an informed decision. Taking anti depressants isn’t a sign of weakness - it’s a sign of strength - that you’ve recognised you need some help and put in place something to help. Wishing you the best with your journey x
I have made an appointment for later today to discuss it all with my GP. Thank you for your advice, I think the risks are a worry but hopefully my GP will be able to discuss everything today.
Thank you for the well wishes
X
Hey, I’m so sorry you’re feeling like this ❤️
I may have some advice that will hopefully help. I’ve always suffered from multiple migraines a month and at the time of IVF was taking propranolol (every day preventative) and frovatriptan (taken when I actually have an attack). Propranolol is linked to a few different things like low birth weight and the frovatriptan hasn’t been tested enough. Around 6/7 weeks pregnant I caught covid and I’m not sure if it was related, but for the next 4 weeks I either woke or went to sleep with a migraine, it was horrendous! During that time I was trying to avoid my meds and reduce them down because I was so scared to take them and harm the baby. After going to the GP he decided to stop the propranolol and spoke with a neurologist, to my surprise they prescribed antidepressants (Fluoxetine) as apparently it had some clinical trials for migraine relief. He also prescribed sumatriptan for the attacks in an injection form! Both of these things I thought there was no way on this earth I could take during pregnancy.
Regarding if it’ll be a red flag or not, I’m not sure about the IVF clinic stage (hopefully the other replies will help with this) but due to the propranolol they’ve given me 3 extra scans in the 3rd trimester which I don’t think is a negative thing for me lol. But they also referred me to the ‘drug and alcohol abuse nurse’ which scared the hell out of me receiving that letter!! She was lovely though, after explaining about the fluoxetine she let me know that this is common and they may just keep me in an extra day or so to monitor the baby for withdrawal. We’ve had a few appointments now and she just likes to check in but has been so lovely and supportive.
With everything you take, the benefits should outweigh the risks and I’m sad that it took me so long to realise that (and my partner too!). I felt like I was putting the baby at risk constantly and so did he, but we weren’t actually taking how I felt into account at all. To go through this journey we really need to be as well as possible and in a good place so if you think you need them right now, you’re probably right ❤️
Good luck for your FET in May, I have everything crossed for you!! Take care of yourself 🥰 x
Hi Katy,
That’s interesting, and definitely makes my appointment a lot less daunting. I had decided that if I can’t have my FET while taking antidepressants I wouldn’t take them, but after another sleepless night full of anxiety I realise that dealing with the depression and getting well comes first. Reading your reply is relatable, it basically sums up what I have worried about - impact on the baby if I get pregnant and the clinics role in monitoring if I am pregnant while taking medication.
I’m going to update with a reply to this thread when I’ve had my appointment just in case anyone comes across it looking for answers as well.
Thanks for taking the time time to advise it’s much appreciated.
X
Hi all
Thank you so much for your comments and advice. I thought to come on and update for anyone that searches this question looking for advice.
I plucked up the courage to see my GP today, she was lovely and so supportive. She has prescribed sertraline 50mg and offered to sign me off work for 6 weeks. In relation to the FET she see’s no problem with me taking this medication and said it’s my decision if I want my clinic to know, as it doesn’t affect fertility outcomes she said I’m not obliged too, but would have to tell my midwife if my treatment works. She also said the medication may help me in a better place mentally for this round of treatment which can only be of benefit.
We discussed risks during pregnancy, which are minimal and she advised it was a safe medication to take especially when outweighing the risks and benefits for my mental health. She wished me luck for my upcoming treatment.
I feel so relieved - and really looking forward to feeling normal again
Well done. The advice I was given was the same - and it worked for me. I found it took a few weeks to kick in, but hopefully admitting that you need some help will bring some relief initially x
Thank you much for asking this question. I tried to come off sertraline as I was concerned it was going to harm my chances. I need this medicine so had to go back on it. I was riddled with guilt due to this but due to seeing this post early hours I can relieve myself of any guilt and sleep!!
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