Bipolar and Pregnant?

Today’s Topic: Pregnancy, Bipolar Symptoms and Medication

This is another personal experience entry. I have three children and have had very different experiences managing my bipolar symptoms during each pregnancy. With an educational background in psychology and a career history as a pharmaceutical rep, I knew I had to pay attention my symptoms and make some decisions about my medications while pregnant. Each woman with bipolar disorder has to make these decisions with the help of her psychiatrist and OB/GYN. The following is just my experience, not advice.

My First Pregnancy: Didn’t know I was bipolar, just was. I had so many interpersonal problems going on at the time that I really have no recollection of the bipolar part of the equation.
My Second Pregnancy (7 years later): Bipolar symptoms were not so bad at the time, so went off my meds, under doctor supervision, and really had no trouble with my mental health during the pregnancy. Was concerned that post-partum hormonal chaos might throw me into a bad episode, so after my son was born, I paid even more careful attention to my mood, as I hoped to be able to breastfeed for the first few months. I didn’t want to stop breastfeeding, even when I began to have some trouble with depression. Ultimately ended up getting back on my meds too late, and when I did, was prescribed the wrong medication. Became so sick with major depression that I voluntarily went in for a week of day hospitalization in a local psychiatric hospital. It’s a much more experience-rich story than this, and I will post a future entry on psychiatric hospitalization to fill you in.
My Third Pregnancy (1.5 years later): The episode that I endured after my second pregnancy influenced me to stay on meds during the second and third trimester of this pregnancy (I think at a lower dose, as some of the docs in the OB group caring for me were opposed to my taking meds, whereas others were in favor…Talk about confusing the patient!) Staying on meds this time resulted in a mentally smooth pregnancy and post-pregnancy period. Although I did start the baby on formula from the get-go, because I didn’t want to expose her to any more of my meds than she had already dealt with as a fetus.
I think the moral of this story is that all mentally ill woman should closely consult both their psychiatrist and obstetrician before, during and after a pregnancy. If you are advised to stay on medication while pregnant, don’t feel guilty. Your baby needs a mentally healthy mother.

Mooday
Husband out of town, kids in bed, and I should have been hours ago. At least I am consistent at being hypomanic!

Mood-ie-Meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

Lawyer crap: This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

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