[catrules]

I have a two year old, and have always thought that I would want two children. However, I am now on like six medications. Has anyone else with bipolar had the convo with their doc about pregnancy while being treated. I think that I know the answer, which makes me sad. I am going to talk to doc about this at next appt, but just wondered if anyone has run into the same dillemma?

[perpetuallysad]

I've had that conversation with my doctor and he always suggests waiting a few more years...until I am theoretically more stable. I haven't reached that more stable point, but have become pregnant twice in the past year and had a miscarriage both times.

I guess it would depend on how stable your doctor feels you are and how harmful the drugs you are on are.

[AShadow721]

I hate when I lose all I have written here... I am not bipolar. I have PTSD and Major Depression. But I did take an anti-depressant and anti-psychotic while I was pregnant. Usually, doctors only want you to take Category A's, which are like Tylenol. However, Category B's are usually considered okay to take when you are pregnant, but most doctors will only let you use them if you really need them. You can find out what category your prescriptions are at this website http://www.drugguide.com/ddo/ub. Your prescriptions can always be changed to a Category B if you become pregnant. Or even before you do, so you have a chance to get used to them and make sure they work.

It is different when you are planning a pregnancy though. So your doctor may have other opinions. In my situation, I had no choice and I needed medication. You don't want to go off your meds completely if you will be emotionally unstable without them. That can cause big problems. It could complicate your pregnancy, give you an increased risk for miscarriage, postpartum depression, and SIDS in your child. I also believe that negative emotions can also negatively impact your unborn child's view of the world.

Ultimately, I think it's your choice. Of course, you want to think of the child you are planning on having before anything. Do you believe you are emotionally stable enough to have a baby even with your bipolar? Do you feel you will be able to handle a toddler and a newborn all at once? If you think you are able, I don't see why you should let anything else get in your way of being happy. Of course, you should discuss it with your doctor. Maybe he/she will know what is right for you.

They can alter your meds so you are on ones which wont affect a baby, however I still found I suffered with post natal depression with most of the babies I have had cept two (I have six) the last one was extreamly bad. Lasted five years only just coming out of it. (fingers crossed)

[trixielou]

i took zoloft & klonopin when i was pregnant. they tried stopping my meds but my body didnt like it. couldnt eat stayed dizzy lost 10 lbs. they worked with my pdoc & put me back on zoloft 100mg once a day & klonopin .5 a day then in 3rd trimester raised to 1mg a day. i also took 100mg of antivert for dizziness. i had a very healthy baby thanks be to God!

Look for a website by a Dr. Hale. He's an expert on meds and breastfeeding. There are forums there where doctors have posted questions about their patients and medications. I know he also has a book, but I don't know the title right off hand. Many doctors keep his book as a reference. Some pharmacists also. Library maybe?

[Amazonmom]

I guess I'm lucky. My psych NP called a perinatal psychiatrist, and a pharmacy advisory service based out of University of Washington when I turned up pregnant last year. If your pdoc won't help you, I would look for a perinatal psychiatrist.

Perinatal psychiatrists are pretty cool folks, they spend their careers figuring out the safest way to get mom and baby through the pregnancy and postpartum. I think most of them are based out of big hospitals.

I love the Dr Hale manual, we use it all the time at my job. Breastfeeding is possible when bipolar and taking meds, but certain ones require much more monitoring than others.

[englishteacher]

I took zoloft when I was pregnant with my last. He was 3 weeks premature and had vitamin deficiencies. I don't know if it was the zoloft or not. The natal nurses said no, but the doctor (not my gyn/ob, but her partner) said it was my fault for being weak. I was very suicidal during the pregnancy, which is why they put me back on zoloft.

A perinatal psychiatrist sounds like a good way to go.

Originally Posted by englishteacher

I took zoloft when I was pregnant with my last. He was 3 weeks premature and had vitamin deficiencies. I don't know if it was the zoloft or not. The natal nurses said no, but the doctor (not my gyn/ob, but her partner) said it was my fault for being weak. I was very suicidal during the pregnancy, which is why they put me back on zoloft.

A perinatal psychiatrist sounds like a good way to go.

I am sorry he said that. ITs definetly not "your fault" you were being weak - you were a person with a medical condition that is NOT your fault.

Hugs!

[Amazonmom]

Englishteacher, that doctor was an idiot. The vast majority of the time we really don't know what causes prematurity. If I had been the NICU nurse taking care of your child I may have had a conversation with the doc concerning what they said to you.

You were not weak. As someone who was suicidal during pregnancy myself, I am so sorry someone laid that undeserved burden on you.

[AShadow721]

I was also suicidal during my pregnancy, and I actually attempted suicide before I came to accept my pregnancy. My husband told me he was praying for the baby one day. It's terrible, but I felt mad about it. He told me, it wasn't the baby's fault, "it did nothing wrong". But I was still depressed and suicidal after that. My husband is the only one that know I attempted suicide, besides some of you on PC. Nothing happened to me or my son. He came out very healthy. Maybe only because of my husband's prayers....He was just meant to be. I love him dearly, he changed my life so much. He is a gift to me. & NOT from my attacker, but from something greater.

Englishteacher, is was not your fault, my cousin was born 3 months premature as well, and her mother wasn't on zoloft. I took zoloft for about a month while I was breastfeeding and my son is perfectly fine. I was taken off my insurance, so I couldn't take it anymore. And you were not weak, in fact, it's what is best for the mother AND the baby for the mother to try to be as healthy (mind & body) as possible. When a mother is depressed during pregnancy, the baby can sense it and it makes him/her worry about what life is like outside. Also, a more mentally healthy mother will take care of herself better during pregnancy, which affects the baby as well.