Anyone here diagnosed with Bipolar prior to pregnancy?

[KLouiseF]

I have been living with Bipolar 2, since I was around 15yo.
I’ve always wanted to be a parent and I am now expecting at 31. The thought of my mental illness potentially being genetical and my child inheriting any my condition from me, has at time talked me out of becoming pregnant. Though, it’s all I’ve ever wanted and I feel it’s my purpose in life!
My condition has been up and down through the year and I’ve mostly been medicated.
I discussed with my psychiatrist and psychologist about wanting to become pregnant and both advised it would be better for my health and ultimately, the babies that I am well.
So I’m 9 weeks and still medicated.
I expressed my wanting to breastfeed so would like to come off of my meds closer to birth and they have said that it’s a very difficult time, mentally in pregnancy so wouldn’t recommend it. They also said I could more than likely breastfeed on meds.
That makes me feel uneasy and my husband is not keen.
Anyone experienced in having babies and being bipolar?

I have bipolar and now have a 5 month old.
I stayed on my medication throughout pregnancy and am still breastfeeding on meds.
Unfortunately I have developed severe depression in the post partum period.
Since having my little one I have had great support. Due to my mh risk in the post partum period I was under the midwives for the full 28 days rather than 10. After the first week I saw the same midwife for the rest of my visits so I had good continuity.
I see my hv frequently which means I have been getting my little one weighed unlike my friends. My hv also has arranged for me to do baby massage with the early years worker with my hv team. I am under the perinatal mh team and see my cc frequently and have my medication reviewed by a psychiatrist specialising in perinatal care. I am on a mood stabiliser and 2 antidepressants which are all safe to breastfeed with. I have recently started compassion focused therapy which is meant to be good for pnd.

It is a risky thing to do but it can be done successfully with appropriate support. I have bipolar 1 and was given 50:50 odds of having an episode. I accepted the risks and everyone involved in my care has known them too so it's been relatively straightforward to get support put in place

Hi both, how are you doing?