I am bipolar 1 and I have 4 grown, happy successful children with good marriages. I had them all before I was diagnosed, although I had post -partum psychosis after the first child, but it was not correctly diagnosed. That is why your marriage should be really solid before you try to have a child. My first husband was abusive and contributed to the break. My second husband was very supportive, and I also had lots of support from friends at church for the next 3 children.

It is a myth that bipolars should not have children. The idea is, that if you do decide to have them, is to put them first. That doesn't mean spoiling them rotten, it means if you are depressed, you get out of bed, you take care of them, and you love them even if you don't feel like it. It means if you are hypomanic, you don't run off on them - spend the money that should be spent on them for clothes, toys and whatever on yourself, or have a reckless sexual episode and abandon them.

Basically being a mom means being unselfish and loving your kids. If you think you can do that, regardless of the moods, then I would go ahead when you and your husband are ready, and have a child. None of my 4 are mentally ill, despite a lot of issues in our home. They had unconditional love from both parents, and that covers a multitude of sins.