Pregnancy is a very sensitive condition for every woman. The goal is to go through the whole experience without complications. However, some go through pregnancy with an existing illness or condition and they can be categorized under high-risk pregnancy. A history of mental illness can be a factor in considering the pregnancy as high-risk. One common mental illness in the world is depression and it affects 1 out of 10 Americans. Around 20.2% of those who are diagnosed are women compared to men that are around 8.2%. This condition can be primarily controlled through medications together with other treatment modalities but some medications like Zoloft can be a risk for your baby’s health.

It has been established that pregnancy often triggers different types of emotions which can aggravate any mental illness like depression. When depression is not managed especially when at a critical stage of pregnancy, it can lead to several complications including low birth weight, developmental problems, premature birth and may even extend to post-partum. Drug therapy is the main management for depression. However, it has been observed that some of the antidepressant medications including Zoloft, can put the fetus at risk especially if it’s taken on the third trimester. The babies born to women who took the medication experience symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, seizures, tremors, irritability, constant crying and lack of oxygen in the blood. The symptoms may require the baby to be under close medical supervision, have respiratory support and feeding tubes. Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) in babies is also linked with the use of Zoloft. In PPHN, the new-born’s lungs cannot fully adapt to the external uterine environment since the arteries that bring blood to the lungs are constricted. The oxygen in the blood is limited because of the limited amount of blood in the lungs. This condition is very similar to Pulmonay Hypertension found in adults. PPHN is a very serious condition and it may even result to death.

When you are pregnant or trying to conceive a child, it is advised that you provide your physician with all the medications that you are taking as they may have an effect on your pregnancy. As with Zoloft, your doctor will weigh down the risk and benefits that you’ll get from the drug and might reduce the dosage or taper it once you are in the third trimester of your pregnancy.