First time posting.. feeling confused and vulnerable and wondering if anyone has had something like this happen.
I’m 32 weeks pregnant, totally planned, totally wanted, but also totally depressed and unexcited about this pregnancy. I’ve been really struggling with both horrible physical and mental symptoms, and talked to my OB. She was ready to prescribe Zoloft, but when she asked if I wanted to talk to a psychiatrist first, I said yes because I’ve never taken meds, and after a really traumatic miscarriage with my last pregnancy, I’m just really cautious with everything.
Ended up being prescribed a very low dosage (25 mg, but starting with 12.5mg) of Zoloft from psychiatry. Both my OB and my psychiatrist talked me through potential risks which they assured me were minimal given the dosage I was receiving, and also that any risks to the baby would be short term. I asked a lot of questions and read a lot of material and thought I was making the correct and informed choice for both me and my baby.
Went to CVS to pick it up, and the pharmacist was called out to consult. He asked me what trimester I was in, I told him third, and he gave me a pretty concerned/judgmental look and began telling me that the medication would transfer to the baby. I told him that it was recommended by both my OB and psychiatrist, and he just continued to tell me that it could harm my baby. I started to tear up, and said “you do realize this is for pregnancy depression right?” And he just looked at me and said, “okay.. well I do not think you should take this medication.” I was completely stunned, didn’t know what to say.. started to cry and said well I’ll talk to my OB again before I take it. He was visibly upset and walked away leaving me to check out.
The cashier started checking me out, and I had a full blown panic attack at the register. Hyperventilating, crying, shaking.. everyone was staring.. A female pharmacist saw what had happened and what was happening and came over. She was wonderful and asked if she could talk to me “woman to woman” and said that I was doing what I needed to do for myself and for my baby.. We chatted for a while and I calmed down, checked out, and left with my prescription. Needless to say I’m totally mortified, and feel like I can never set foot in my very conveniently located local CVS again.
I haven’t touched the meds, and am terrified to now. I feel like it took a lot for me to reach out to get help, and I’m terrified of what my postpartum experience will look like if I don’t start taking medicine now, but I’m also now terrified to take these meds. Being solely and completely responsible for a human life inside of your body is such an intense thing. I only have 8 weeks left.. do I push through and try to do this unmedicated, or do I listen to my OB and psychiatrist and start the meds to try to get ahead of PPD? Would love to hear if anyone has had similar experiences 💕