[LiteraryLark]

Have any of you have gone through pregnancy while diagnosed as bipolar?

I've talked to my pdoc who said I cannot go off medications during pregnancy due to the severity of my illness, and on Monday I'll see my counselor, and then on July 1st I'll be seeing my ob/gyn, so I need to know as much information as possible before making any decisions.

I would like to know: did you take meds while pregnant or did you go off them, were there any complications with your stability/any episodes while pregnant because of taking/not taking medications, were there any complications with the fetus during or after birth, and if your child has grown up, does your child have bipolar or any other illness?

[Nessa213]

Originally Posted by DrSkipper

Have any of you have gone through pregnancy while diagnosed as bipolar?

I've talked to my pdoc who said I cannot go off medications during pregnancy due to the severity of my illness, and on Monday I'll see my counselor, and then on July 1st I'll be seeing my ob/gyn, so I need to know as much information as possible before making any decisions.

I would like to know: did you take meds while pregnant or did you go off them, were there any complications with your stability/any episodes while pregnant because of taking/not taking medications, were there any complications with the fetus during or after birth, and if your child has grown up, does your child have bipolar or any other illness?

I wasn't diagnosed prior to being pregnant, but I have NO doubt that I most certainly experienced symptoms during. That's when things started to implode honestly. But. Had I been medicated during it might not have been so awful. (As such, I can't speak to how much medications would have affected my daughter.) Pregnancy was not good for me personally. It made my rage go OUT of control, especially toward the end. I felt extremely unstable, but I blamed it on pregnancy hormones at the time. Which part of that MAY have been true.

And afterwards I had the absolute worst post partum depression that lasted for about 6 months.

My daughter is only 2 years old so it's pretty impossible to tell at this point if she's showing any signs of bipolar. I mean she has INTENSE mood swings... but she's two. And I'm really hoping she grows out of it. For both of our sakes.

[faerie_moon_x]

With my 3rd son I was diagnosed already. I wasn't on meds and no one was overly concerned about me
(meaning my OB). Sometimes they would ask if I felt okay mentally. I wasn't in therapy either. I just seem to do ok in pregnancy, even though things were pretty traumatic around me at that time, the pregnancy is what kept me going.

But, I only gained 3 lbs due to the trauma happening around me, I couldn't eat much. It was fine because I am overweight. So they wanted me to gain less than 10 lbs anyway.

[Victoria'smom]

I definitely had symptoms and psycosis while pregnant and post partum. My husband did not trust me alone while pregnant or upto a year after. I was not dx'd then and we kept silent about what was going on. If I could redo it I would ask for no meds but intensive out patient or partial hospitalization.

Now my sister was on medication and did well pregnant.

[wotchermuggle]

My Pdoc has told me that people with bipolar seem to do really well during the pregnancy but it is important to get back on meds ASAP after the birth. Google and see what the side effects are possible for your baby if you stay on the meds during pregnancy. I'm personally not willing to put the life of my child in jeopardy. There are other ways to manage without meds for the duration of a pregnancy. Maybe you double up on therapy and have more regular Pdoc appointments.

I plan on going off all meds during pregnancy, but my Pdoc has already told me she will refer me to another Pdoc when that time comes who specializes in this area.

[middlepath]

I was not DXed at the time of my two pregnancies but had horrible depression. I had post partum depression that was fierce with one and tolerable post-partum with the other. I had manic/hypo (not sure) episodes that lasted several months after each depressive episode and was fairly unstable for awhile. Both kiddos have learning disabilities, one has aspergers. Frankly, though I went through the wringer, I would do it all again BUT I would medicate myself immediately post-partum. Like, here is your beautiful baby boy and some lithium.

I called it quits after two kids because of the severity of what happened though.

[Eliza Jane]

http://forums.psychcentral.com/bipol...nant-help.html

I posted a lot of my story in the thread above.

This is a topic I'm pretty passionate about talking about because I just went through a pregnancy and felt there was so little info available to me.

My baby is doing well. I'm glad to be done with the pregnancy and be able to use "better" meds, but I'm glad I went through it because I love being a mom!

Best,
EJ

[LiteraryLark]

Thanks, I will talk to my pdoc about it when I am planning a pregnancy.

[Dylanzmama]

Thank god for this thread! I went to a specialist a year before we tried to get pregnant to see about my depression meds. They said,"there's no reason you can't have a healthy baby..." I had my first mania/psychotic break when my son was 1and I was still breast feeding. My son lost his mama for 2 1/2 months because I was hospitalized.
He has autism and no matter how many docs tell me differently, I can't help to blame myself. I applaud you for doing what you can for your baby's health...good luck.

[pink&grey]

I've had two children, both while bipolar but undiagnosed. With the first, I went off of depression meds and we both did fine. With the second I was in a major episode, had just diagnosed BP (although I didn't really buy it) and trying all sorts of meds when I found out I was 5 weeks prego. I went with Prozac and I made it through. When my daughter was born, she had seizure like shakes for about a month. I was never given an explanation and I think they were withdrawals. She's 6 now and having difficulties....who knows if the meds are related or not. Doctors would say no.

I know this - pregnancy affects your mood whether you are diagnosed or not. With the disorder its a very complicated issue and I personally believe that pregnancy can make the disorder worse. Stay in close contact with your doctors and just do what they say. The risk of going off meds while being hormonal can be just huge for both you and the baby. If you do it, have a plan in place and have people lined up to take care of you and your every dang need. Best case you don't need it, worst case, you are covered in love and preparedness.

Wishing you and your lil one the best!

[Mack2]

Hi there, I just wrote a reply to a post about children with special needs. Please read it

[chumchum]

Originally Posted by DrSkipper

Have any of you have gone through pregnancy while diagnosed as bipolar?

I've talked to my pdoc who said I cannot go off medications during pregnancy due to the severity of my illness, and on Monday I'll see my counselor, and then on July 1st I'll be seeing my ob/gyn, so I need to know as much information as possible before making any decisions.

I would like to know: did you take meds while pregnant or did you go off them, were there any complications with your stability/any episodes while pregnant because of taking/not taking medications, were there any complications with the fetus during or after birth, and if your child has grown up, does your child have bipolar or any other illness?

I was taking Prozac for my BP with my last pregnancy. I had no problems and had a healthy boy. He is 9 years old now and one of the calmest kids ever. I think the Prozac chilled him out, lol. I wish you the best and I am sure you will make the most informed and loving decision for your particular circumstances.