bipolar and pregnancy

[dontwantanickname]

do you have to stop taking the meds if you are ttc or preg? I am worried i won't be able to have a baby because i have bipolar and doing without meds, for me at least, is like a diabetic going without insulin for 9 months. ie not a viable option.
anyone know of any meds that are ok during pregnancy?

[luckywinner]

Hi, I am pregnant at the mo and still recovering from a very serious bout of depression. I am still on my ads, which are ones they would prefer me not to be on, but the doctor has said I have to weigh up the options of suffering a relapse or unknown effects on the baby. I have chosen to keep taking them as I guarantee I would be suicidal if I stopped. So I completely understand you still needing to be on your meds. You are right, it is like a diabetic. That is a really good analogy. Have you got a doctor you can talk to about this?

[desperateforadvice]

Hello
what meds are you on at present? If you have been seriously ill with bipolar in the past I can almost guarantee you that you would be actively encouraged to continue on a mood stabiliser.
There is a lot of safety data on lithium for example and I believe it is considered fairly safe in pregnancy, other meds such as valproate are not safe as they are known to increase the risk of birth defects.
Most areas will be ablw to access a psychiatrist who has special knowledge in pregnancy so it would be well worth (essential really) to discuss your options in advance if ttc.
good luck!!

[dontwantanickname]

hiya thanks for your replies, i am on seroquel (quetieapine) and lorazepam (benzo) my psych basically told me to forget about having a baby :(

I've been really quite ill, sectioned, arrested, etc etc, but am doing lots to get stable as we know, the tablets is half the battle, the rest is lifestyle, diet, excercise etc.

maybe i could ask my psych for a second opinion, am seeing him on tuesday so will ask. dont know if my area will have a specialist for pregnancy as we are in very much a rural backwater, much as i love it here, the services and facilities are pretty poor.

[midnightservant]

at your psychiatrist. Get a second opinion.

I take it you have googled appropriately.
I do know someone who doesn't have kids because she is bipolar, but things surely must have changed since she came to that sad decision a good few years ago. I don't know whether it was because of meds or fear of passing on the condition :(

[Keziahhopes]

You can ask your psychiatrist to refer you to a peri-natal psychiatrist for medication information.

[msbuggywinkle]

Positive story...

My best friend has bipolar disorder and not long ago gave birth to her third child. She works hard with her psychiatrist to keep her medications as low as possible while still remaining stable while she is pregnant and has been able to breastfeed 2 out of the three. She is a brilliant mother, she was hospitalised 2 years ago for three months which was tough for the older children but she has lots of family and friend support and a wonderful partner and everyone go through it fine.

[Scheherezadea]

Hi - I have just written a long reply to a similar post in pregnancy - thread titled propanolol and pregnancy. I am bipolar, and pregnant, and had a number of issues with medication as was on lamotrigine, lithium and propanolol. Got referred to perinatal psychiatry service who have given me lots of input (specialist peri natal psych, CPN and MH midwife).

[Crawling]

I have type 1 bipolar (normally rapid cycle and have very little normal times)and it was undiagnosed for a few years during which time I had two children during pg I was perfectly stable both times I am currently pg off meds (in my case as I have proven that pg makes me stable my pychiatrist has agreed to this) and again I am perfectly stable. My pychiatrist said it is common for bipolar symtoms to dissapear in pg as the hormones are similar to some of thoose in pychiatric meds and offers protection.

I am not saying go off meds as it offers protection for most but you cannot guarantee that it will but you will probably find you are able to cut right down on medication and still remain stable. HTH.