i need to know if this is medication worthy or normal

I'm a 30yr old pregnant bipolar who is currently not medicated due to the pregnancy. I have felt many very low points that I know where due to brain chemistry but now I'm going thru something a bit different. It seems like everyday activities and situations like dealing with my 4yr old make me want to scream and run n hide. The dishes in the sink the grass not mowed anything is just too much but its not a depressive feeling its more an overstressed feeling. I also have anxiety issues but this isn't the same either. I just can't explain it except that I feel like one more thing might just snap my psyche! What is this? How do I work it out? I will give birth in less than 6wks give or take and I need to be able to handle this new stressor too! Help

Hi pregy, welcome.
I have 3 children, and I know what this feels like. Unfortunately I don't think you can take any meds during the prego. So you need to find ways to self-soothe. I think a lot of these feelings could be normal for anyone about to give birth - this is a big deal! I find myself talking to myself when I feel this stressed out, I'll talk myself down, sometimes out loud, sorting out what is worth raising my blood pressure and what isn't. The breathing techniques we learn for labor are good - not the fast ones, I never liked those, but the slow deep breaths. I used meditation. I'll try to remember more about what I did during pregnancy to calm down. And I'm sure more folks here will be able to offer some suggestions. You're in the home stretch, in 6 weeks you're going to have your beautiful new family member who you will love with all your heart.

Have you talked to your OB and your psychiatrist if you have one? Sometimes the dire necessity of taking medication outweighs the risk, even when pregnant. You're well into your last trimester, not the first when the baby is forming (and when anything that can go wrong usually does); you are also at incredibly high risk for postpartum depression/psychosis. I experienced that after my last child was born, and we almost didn't live through it.

You MUST talk to someone about this---your anxiety, your feelings, your knowledge that things are not right. Bringing a new baby into this volatile mix is not a good way to start him/her out in life; you know this or you wouldn't have posted.

Do you have any help at home? Is the children's father involved, and if so, why isn't HE helping you to manage your household? Do you have family or friends who might help? These are legitimate concerns you have; if you're not getting what you need from the people in your life, ask!

Please take care of yourself. You are precious in God's sight and helping Him to create a miracle; you deserve to be happy and not over-stressed & anxious.

Not many talk about meditation books here, but there are some that are very helpful.
I like these:

"The One Year Mini Daily Inspirations for Women"
"Keeping God In The Small Stuff"
"Keep It Simple"
"Forgiving and Moving On"

"From Darkness to Sunshine" (Visual art by bipolar patients-really talented people)

There must hundreds of thousands of publications out there that will alter your mood for you if you'll give yourself to the reading and stop worrying about everything. Just six weeks away from delivery would make anyone ready to climb the walls with all the hormones flooding your system. (I'll bet you're having a boy!)

I say that because I had a girl and it was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me in terms of feeling great during the whole pregnancy. The only difficult thing was having to sleep sitting up during the last week.

Now, to get back to relaxing. Reading is a big tension reliever. If you're a visual person, get something from a book store that is art loaded and soak it in.

These things take your mind away from the momentary problems and might even
leave you elevated in thought for a while.

Take care.

Maybe it is the interplay of your changing hormones with your brain chemistry that makes it feel different this time.

Incidentally, how did you go off meds in order to become pregnant? Did your mood change? I do want to have children and I am not getting any younger, but I wonder if I will crack without meds.

This is how I am pregnant to not with my 5 year old, which makes me believe you should be on meds. There are safer options available to you during pregnancy. also, the point about postpartum depression is valid. I'd get with your pdoc now to at the very least discuss your post partum plan.

Good luck!!!

I have heard that many people go off there meds during pregnancy. Things that are not natural are not needed durring pregnancy. Your body takes care of it's self. After delivery the need for meds often come right back like you were never off of them. This is Gods way of giving the body the ability to protect it's self so the baby is protected.

The last few months are nerve wrecking. You can't sleep, you can't breathe right, you can't get comfortable, every little thing annoys you. Chasing after a for year old makes things that much more tiresome and annoying. Just hang in a few more weeks. There may be meds that are availiable those last few months that want cross to the baby. You may be using something like that anyway if you plan on nursing.

Do be carefull for postpartum depression. It is very real and very strong. Don't play around with it. The dr's gave me zoloft of that. I was worried it would pas to the baby. They assured me that only trace amounts if any would make it to the baby threw milk. I didn't see any changes in the baby except my anxiety level changed so the baby was more calm. Or maybe I just dealt better. Best of luck to you and this new little life.

I talked to a therapist throughout my pregnancy. But I was also able to make it through the entire pregnancy with no meds. And then I was only able to make it 2 weeks before I had to get back on them. I think it really helped to have someone to talk to who understood what I was feeling and going through.

there are some meds that are relatively safe for use during pregnancy particularly during the last trimester. Talk with your pdoc about what is best for you and the baby. It is not good for the baby if you get depressed or manic. I am on abilify and tofranil which have a minimal risk for the baby - there is still some risk but less than other meds.