Bipolar Disorder And Pregnancy Posted: 12-16-07 12:48pm
Hi, I'm new to this forum. I've been
diagnosed as a bipolar in 1994 when I was
26. I'm very lucky to have a supportive
husband (although sometimes too worried)
and two wonderful girls. These days I'm
trying to convince my husband to have
another baby (this year is probably my
last chance, age-wise). After a very
dramatic manic episode a year ago (while I
was off Lithium, trying to get pregnant),
I can understand my husband's worries, but
it's hard for me to accept that this is
final. I am wondering if there is any
information out there about coping with
bipolar disorder without medication,
during pregnancy. Are there new ways of
treatment (such as cognitive treatment) or
others that has been successful? am I
putting myself in too much risk?
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Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 4789 Location: Midwest, USA
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Posted: 12-17-07 11:21am
There are some things you could do to
prepare. First of all, therapy would
probably be necessary during that time, at
least to keep checking in with your doctor
so she/he can monitor your condition.
This article talks about medication
options during pregnancy, and also about
therapy-type options. There are some good
links to more information at the bottom of
the page, too.
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puzzld
Supporter
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 188 Location: gulf coast =), USA
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Posted: 01-05-08 11:21am
this is a huge topic of interest to me.
i'm 33 and have no children. i found out
i'm infertile about 5 or 6 months ago. i
had major abdominal fertility surgery oct.
19th and i'm told now that i am probably
highly fertile. then another kink... i was
diagnosed bipolar after my recovery and
had to go on bipolar meds. i feel better
mentally but i wonder all the time if i'm
passing up my only opportunity to have a
child naturally. my husband just wants me
to be safe and not sick so he's in no
hurry.
i've been told different things by
different dr's regarding pregnancy and
bipolar meds. my dr says that i am not
stable enough to have a child.. i can see
where he is coming from but i don't have
that much time! he also says that i can't
take these meds while pregnant at all ( so
my fertility dr says too).
hope i'm making sense... i'm waking up and
my tongue feels heavy still from the
seroquel (600mg at night)
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racheli
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 2
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Posted: 01-14-08 06:37am
I haven't been here for a while, partly
discouraged from not having a lot of
conversation around my boring question,
which for me was very urgent. Thank you
Georgia for the great link - it helped a
lot.
Over a month I was investigating this
issues by consulting many psychiatrists,
and I came to the understanding that there
is really no option for me to go through
another pregnancy without medications.
It's taking to much risk despite the fact
that I've been through two full
pregnancies without any med. However,
since I had a manic episode recently, the
recommendation for me is to be on Lithium
through the entire pregnancy. I made the
decision for myself that if this is the
case, I'm not going to have another baby.
The decision is after all - the parents'
decision, and everyone is different and
has different circumstances. Since I
already have two kids, I don't feel that
my desire for another baby should put in
risk what I already have.
For you, Puzzld, I wish you will find a
way to have a baby. There are many bipolar
women who have babies. Maybe it will take
time until you feel better and stable -
and that takes a lot of work, and balanced
medications too. There are medications
that had not been proven to cause damage
during pregnancy, and maybe your doctor
should consider testing those with you.
But as I said - each of us is very
different and we need support from a good
doctor, and from our family and friends.
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