I was not diagnosed with Bipolar when I got pregnant. Looking back, I had boughts of hypomania during the pregnancy but overall I did very well.

Some things I did well when I was pregnant:
1). Diet, exercise, lifestyle choices were impeccable.
2). Went to see a psychologist once a week b/c I was very nervous about motherhood.
3). Went to bed at the same time, woke up at the same time in the morning.
4). I had an OBY/GYN who I adored.

From what my doctor has told me, Depakote and mood stabilizers that are anticonvulsants can cause serious side effects in pregnancy- so you definitely want to have this conversation with a p-doc and possibly find a high-risk OB/GYN that you love. Literature does suggest trying to go med free during the first trimester if you have the proper support system in place.

A few things from my own experience- my mom is a paranoid schizophrenic. She tried to go med-free during her first trimester, but she ended up being hospitalized. Her OB/GYN dropped her as a patient because he didn't support the risk. She had to take her medicines as normal. I was 6 lbs, 7 oz. My Mom fed me formula.

When I was younger- I had a number of learning delays. Didn't walk until 18 months- I was significantly delayed on speech, didn't learn how to read until I was in the 3rd grade. Until I was in 9th grade, I routinely tested two grades behind my level (except for reading). School was a serious struggle for me, especially in elementary school. My C's were hard earned. I was in speech therapy until I was 11.

Once I got to high-school, things got easier and my C's became B's and C's. College- I did it & got B's. I've never been an A student. Fast forward 32 years later, and people compliment my intelligence all the time. I didn't give up.

As a bipolar parent- I've decided that I can only handle one bio child. However, I absolutely love being a parent. It is the most challenging yet most rewarding thing I've done. I would hate for the fear of the medicine to hold you back from making the decision to have a baby. My mom had me even when all the medical providers around her told her it would be a bad idea.

Message me if you have any questions.