Pregnancy and Bipolar

[maddielangdale]

I know this is a risky thread but would like to know,
i am 9 weeks 5 days pregnant I am under the care of a psychaitrist who i only see on a 4 monthly basis as i am currently stable. I am taking quetiapine 300mg and sertraline 50mg while the Dr says I am safer on the meds than off them and the same case for the baby, i've been hearing mixed reviews about the medication so i basically wanted your views especially if you are on this medication and are or have been pregnant xx

Hiya,

I'm also bipolar (ii) and 20 weeks. I came off meds (lamotrigine) when we started trying so was med free when I became preg and had been stable for a few months. My doc said that quite often the hormones can stabilise bipolar swings (ironic as most people have horrid mood swings) I've found I've been pretty stable. I've had a few days when I felt lowish (nowhere near bad tho) and a few hours that I've been a bit hyper (I am rapid cycling, hours/days). I'm not under the care of a psych atm but have access to emergency referral to MH team. I guess my advice would be try if you can to manage through diet and exercise etc and stay under close supervision of doc and those close to you. I'm sure you know this too, and it's quite far in the future, but we are much more likely to suffer post natal depression so it's something to keep an eye on after birth.

Can you make an appointment with psych to discuss meds and pregnancy? Obviously stay on them till you've spoken to someone as you'll probably have to come off slowly otherwise it can trigger a low or mania xx

Hello, I'm Bipolar (i) and have seen the psychiatrist today he says not to worry about the meds but i just wanted to know or hear of what everyone else thought and what their experiences of being on the medication while pregnant were. Thanks for your reply x

I'm a community mental health nurse. For what it's worth I have supported several women who have remained on quetiapine and sertraline throughout pregnancy and I understand they are the one's most recommended in pregnancy. It is always a risk- benefit decision as to whether to stay on meds when pregnant but do bear in mind the consequences of mental health deteriorating when pregnant could be devastating. I would hope that your consultant would see you more frequently when you are pregnant and you could always discuss a gradual reduction with increased monitoring if this is what you want. Also be sure to discuss and have a copy of a relapse prevention plan (although some psychiatrists with be better than others at this!). In the area I work one of the midwives has a specific role in working with women who have or are experiencing mental health issues so you could ask about this maybe? they would have a better understanding of your bipolar and can liase with the mental health nurses directly if she or you think that this might be needed.