Agree with your doc, you should not be trying to get pregnant while taking Lithium. Lithium is known to cause birth defects including heart defects. There are other medications that are safer to take during pregnancy. You should work out the details before getting pregnant if possible.

I was on lithium when my daughter was conceived, but I was also on birth control...so she was a surprise. As soon as I realized I was pregnant, I stopped my lithium cold turkey and then worked with my docs for an alternative. We all agreed that I could not go the duration of my pregnancy unmedicated. I took lamictal throughout my pregnancy. For me it did not work as well as lithium, but it was better than nothing and a safer option for my daughter. Because I was on lithium when my daughter was conceived, I had to go through some extra testing during the pregnancy to ensure that my daughter did not have any heart defects. We were very fortunate that I realized I was pregnant very quickly, got the lithium stopped and it did not have a chance to permanently effect her.

I have a happy, healthy, extremely intelligent 8½-year-old daughter.