Bipolar and pregnant- anyone else been here?

[raininginbaltimore]

I am bipolar, 26weeks pregnant, currently off medication. Last week I thought I was spiralling towards mania or mixed episode (heart rate, lack of sleep, racing thoughts, couldn't keep still, but also panic attacks, tearfulness, angry rages.)

I tried to rest over weekend, and do feel better, but now starting to feel distant, tired. What is driving me mad I suppose is that I don't really know what is "normal" pregnancy hormonal stuff, what might be bipolar, what might just be working full time with a toddler and being pregnant!

No real question here, just wondered what other people found when pregnant? I wasn't diagnosed when had ds, but in hindsight had periods of hypermania/mania and depression (the depression was dealt with as I had suffered in past)

I actually found that when I was pregnant I was more stable than I'd been in years. Just as well really because I got zero psychiatric support. I don't think there is a "normal", just what's normal for you which of course will be different during pregnancy.

I guess all you can do is talk to your doctor if you're struggling to cope.

I am bipolar I and have 7mo DS. I came off meds whilst preg and for 6months post natally to breastfeed.

My consultant psychiatrist specialises in pregnant & New mums with bipolar (I'm currently under the perinatal mental health team).

Apparently pregnancy hormones usually act as a protective factor for women with bipolar. This was certainly the case for me, apparently this supports my diagnosis as my condition is biochemical, not a personality disorder.

I was determined to breastfeed and it helped me bond with my child. However I became increasingly low, ending in a stay in the mother & baby psychiatric ward 8weeks ago, was put on a med to bring me up which sent me majorly manic/psychotic. I subsequently had to stop bf at 6 months to restart lithium which worked almost instantly.

That's my experience, any questions just ask.

Have you talked about it with your midwife? I am not "really" bipolar I don't think but I have had serious depressive episodes in the past and I had a manic episode about five years ago which was a (very extreme) reaction to a very tiny amount of antidepressant (10mg of citalopram, taken only once - was manic within four hours!). The psychiatrist I ended up seeing basically thought I had the 'potential' to be bipolar but would probably be OK provided I avoided all artificial uppers/downers (which had always been my instinct anyway - drink very little etc).

Anyway, I have severe hyperemesis at the moment. I'm 10 weeks pregnant and I've been either in hospital or at home on total bed rest, chucking up and on all the possible drugs since 4.5 weeks pregnant. It is really objectively very depressing but although I feel demoralised about the situation, missing work etc I don't feel actually depressed if you know what I mean. I've been surprised to be honest how resilient my mood has been so it's interesting to read that the pregnancy hormones are usually protective for a mood disorder.

I mentioned this history to my midwife and I've been referred to the consultant and also to a special midwife team with longer appointments/more support. I also have the number for the gynae/maternity counseling service at my hospital - I've already seen them once when I was very ill in hospital and feeling desperate and can call if I want to see them again.

To be honest I feel more concerned about possible mood problems after having the baby, especially as the pregnancy is proving so grueling. But I do feel quite well looked-after by the team. Has your midwife offered you access to additional support at all? or a counselor to talk through your concerns? I know what you mean about the hormones, it's such a roller-coaster anyway. I was planning nearer the time to look for a book about mood problems after birth so that I and my partner know what to look out for and what we can do to help. I know for me that quite a rigid daily routine, exercise etc are important to staying well and of course I realise it can be hard to protect those things with a new-born.

I am seeing a consultant (well his registrar) and support mw. Although they don't seem to know much about BP.

I think maybe it is normal pregnancy hormone stuff. It didn't last long enough or escalate in the way my mood has in past. My normal mw did say that lack of sleep and "raging" is fairly typical.

I am paranoid I think, constantly looking out for symptoms. I work full time, and have a toddler so it is possibly just exhaustion and stress!

I was very depressed just before I conceived my ds, and it did change my mood. I was generally considered really well with him, really happy (which I wondered if was hypomania) I was really bad after he was born.
I am considering not breastfeeding at all this time (managed 6weeks with ds) so that I can start lithium straight away. Lithium has been a wonder drug for me.

Sorry for rambling on, I feel better I am sure this is normal pregnancy stuff, I was just over-worried about it being BP.

Sorry you are not feeling great and I wish you a happy pregnancy. I think sleep and rest are key to staying well.

I have bipolar and I was not always well in pregnancy. Particularly in my second pregnancy when I went back on to Lithium for the last ten weeks. Lithium is safe after the first trimester, but not everyone seems to know that. With ds2 I did try the no meds and breastfeeding route but it didn't work out well and when he was 5 weeks I stopped breastfeeding and went back on my usual meds and gradually felt normal again. TBH if I had my time over again I wouldn't have breastfed ds2 at all and been weller mother for the first months.

Now my boys are 9 and 10 and I'm on lithium and been well for years, so I don't have any longterm problems being bipolar and being a mother.

Thanks. Saw my support mw today and she referred me to the perinatal MH team. At least so they have me on their radar.

I am still weighing up the bf vs medication. MW was lovely and said me being well is the most important thing.

raining - there is plenty of meds you can bf whilst taking. However, you can't on lithium.