[LiteraryLark]

Ever since I became diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I've been thinking about my options when it comes to having children. My doctors have told me that it is totally possible to become pregnant and have a healthy baby, but that my health is more important and that I would have to stay on my medications whether it is full dosage or half dosage or however the arrangements will be.

If you have children and a mental illness, how did pregnancy work for you? Did you have to stay on your medications or a lower dose of your medication? If you were on medication, did this affect the fetus or the baby in any way? How did pregnancy affect your symptoms? As someone with bipolar, the symptoms worry me because I know what it's like to have depression and mania, but I also know that pregnancy adds to the hormonal side and could make it worse. Did you have post-partum depression? What were your MI symptoms like after giving birth? Thank you.

[technigal]

I was on Prozac (and they upped the dosage) while pregnant with my son. There were no side effects on either me or the baby. I did have PPD, and it was pretty rough until they changed my meds. My son is now 9 years old and is healthy although having two parents with depression has made him suffer from depression as well.

I know there are meds safer for pregnancy and I would suggest changing to them before pregnancy to make sure they work for you.

Good Luck.

[Jan1212]

I was self diagnosed depression and anxiety pre pregnancy and during. After child birth, months post partum, I was finally diagnosed with PPD and PPA. It was bad during pregnancy. I had trouble sleeping and episodes intensified in my last trimester, worsened and continued in baby's newborn stage. Things got so bad but I fought on and seen someone. My sanity is better now but not the same as pre pregnancy, of course my life will never be the same with a baby, but my MI is getting better.

Idk if it's what you're looking for. I'm also a part of a "mom" forum which helped
Me a lot with having courage and relating to other mom's experiences

[*Laurie*]

I am most definitely bipolar and have struggled with mental illness since I was a child. During both of my pregnancies I found that my mental illness calmed down quite a bit. With my first child I experienced severe post-partum depression, but there was really no safe med back then, so I just used other ways of coping (meditation, therapy, spiritual practice). Overall, pregnancy and breastfeeding were much easier and more joyful for me than my life usually is. I would not let your mental illness get in the way of having children - there are so many treatment options nowadays.

ive heard Ov using the drug Lamictal during pregnancy over other stabilizers. Pleas consult your gyno or pdoc for recommendation.

[Raging Quiet]

I am currently 35 weeks pregnant with anxiety, depression, previous mental health issues and likely undiagnosed bipolar as both my parents have it and are medicated, but my t doesn't diagnose.

I have not been on any medication in the pregnancy and my husband has been truly my main support, holding me when I cry, panic etc. I've tried to learn CBT to rationalise my thoughts and practice breathing. It has been hard, but I never thought I could do it medication free. I have also taken up knitting and joined a pregnancy forum to keep in touch.

In my experience, Pregnancy is good as it makes you cry over things so once you cry out everything, you feel better. I know when I hit my usual lows they tend to stew and get worse so getting it all out there has been good for me. Just take each day as a step I found isn't as overwhelming.

I also see a t alongside my pregnancy.

Sorry if this hasn't helped.

[Annabella108]

I'm currently pregnant with my 5th. I've been quasi diagnosed with bipolar 2/cyclothymia since I had a horrible postpartum experience after baby 3. Before that I thought I just had depression/anxiety issues. I had baby #4 with meds and breastfed postpartum with them and there has been no issues for my daughter. I was on lamictal and cymbalta.

I'm voluntarily pregnant again and choose to take meds. I don't tell anyone besides my husband and dr about the meds because my anxiety of being judged. But the internet is different!

I hate that people use meds as an excuse not to have more kids when certain meds have no clear cut risks vs benefits. For example, I'm on lamictal and that's a category C not proven safe but not bad. From the studies I've read, the only thing it has "maybe" done in ONE study is increase cleft palate defects .05% or something like that. Lamictal
On pregnancy websites has a very mixed review because of it. While that may mean to some people a clear cut, no way would I risk my baby, I think my benefits outweigh the risk. I think the chance of me killing myself on a regular basis would be over that without the meds. But to say no to babies because I have to stay on them? I would be horribly depressed. Yes, I have issues but I have always wanted a large family and to stay home. But I do have help when I need it and I am very honest with my husband with how I'm feeling. I think if anything this makes me a more understanding parent. Is it stress free? No. Is anything stress free? Definitely not. I'm much better with my kids/family than I ever was with working.

And who's to say you're going to be stable without having any kids? If someone told me that I shouldn't have more kids because I'm sick, that would probably make me go through an episode anyway if my choice was taken away. As it is I am extremely private about it all and barely anyone knows I have issues (that's where my social anxiety kicks in). I just brush it off, even to my kids, that I don't feel well or have a headache. But I always tell my husband the truth.

Not sure if it helps but if you have support, go for it!
I think you'll regret it otherwise. It definitely can be done and I would never take away any of my experiences! Parts of being pregnant/having babies have been the best experiences of my life.