Pregnancy

Hey boyfriend and I have decided to start trying to have a baby. I'm not sure what that looks like for us bipolar folks. I've received conflicting advice from doctors over the years in terms of meds and all of that. I'm on lamictal now and Ativan as needed. The Lamictal is at 400 mgs. I had one doctor tell me that 100 mg is the top dose during pregnancy. My doctor now says it is totally safe.
For all of the mamas, what did you do with your med situation for better or worse? How was your bipolar during the experience? Did the hormones+bipolar make your life incredibly difficult? I'm nervous but excited and would love any advice y'all have to give!

My pregnancies were both unmedicated and went fine - they both occurred before I knew I had BP. Post partum was like all 7 layers of hell combined, and it lasted for YEARS. I was dumb and didn't get any help after my first child; I didn't tell my doctor about the depression at all. I had a miscarriage between my first and second babies, so my hormones were all over the place for many years. With my second (and last) child, I told my doctor ahead of time about the PPD I had after my first. I was put on an anti-depressant for awhile after the 2nd - even though the PPD was unbearable, the anti-depressant might well have been worse for how absolutely apathetic it made me about everything. Nothing mattered at all. I wasn't upset and sobbing all the time, but there was no feeling about anything at all, ever. None of this was helped by the fact that I didn't sleep through the night after my first baby was born for nearly a decade. Even when everyone else slept through, my biology was hard wired to listen for and be alert to every single sound in the house. I'm still that way (my youngest is almost 7 now), but less hypervigilant; I can fall back to sleep more easily with the help of some nutritional supplements that are good for getting to and staying asleep.

So, you have an advantage here. You already have a diagnosis, and you know what meds already work for you. Finding a safe regimen is super important, and it sounds like you're already on that path. And, you will likely have great aftercare with close monitoring of your mood and awareness on the part of both you and your care team of flags for concern. That's all promising!

I went unmedicated for my kid. It was a rollercoaster that crashed after she was born. Thankfully I had a lot of support for the first six weeks. I'd probably do it the same way now. (Except I can't, because I'm menopausal. Technical difficulties )

I have heard that women have done fine off meds during pregnancies. That the hormones kept them steady so that is good, encouraging.
100mg of lamictal is a sub therapeutic dose but some do fine, every one is different.
You have been hypomanic just lately, don't know if you take an antipsychotic to prevent mania????
good luck for sure!
bizi

You should research you meds to see what effects they may have on the baby even after you go off of them.

Congrats OP! Have fun with all that trying hehe. But I'm wondering this too. Anyone out there continue meds while pregnant or know of anyone? And the outcome?

I had a lengthy conversation with my pdoc yesterday, and Im feeling optimistic! He said that most bipolar women do better when they are pregnant and that I can lower my dose of lamictal considerably. He did tell me to stay away from my prn (Ativan)
He of course told me to keep my threshold low for calling him about concerns or bumps in the road.My pdoc is super easy to talk to/work with so I feel good going forward.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I was undiagnosed BiPolar Type II at the onset of my pregnancy, and the hormones made me feel great. I absolutely loved being pregnant. Since I was undiagnosed at the time, I didn't take any medication.

The big thing is that you're going to need to manage stress well during the pregnancy. It sounds like you're on the right track. Another thing to remember is that it's easier to get dehydrated when you are pregnant- so be sure to drink a lot of water.

With everyone saying that they felt better during their pregnancy- I wonder if there is a hormonal solution to bipolar for women?

I was undiagnosed BP2 (med-free) when I was pregnant with my son. My mood during pregnancy and for like the year after I had him was the most stable I've been since I was 14.