I know you are asking after women but as a male who has had serious cocktails of medications for extended periods of time, I know that my sperm are probably damaged as well. It's a sacrifice but I would refrain from having children as well.
It's a tough road we are traveling but hopefully this sacrifice inspires us to have other kinds of beautiful relationships.

I was very rapidly weaned off my meds before the pregnancy was even confirmed. I knew I was pregnant and that was enough for my pdoc to take me off all of my meds as fast as he could. Psych meds can kill or permanently injure an unborn baby. Talk to your pdoc and PCP and see what they say. Everyone is different and on different meds.

There are meds that are fine to take during pregnancy, though many will say it’s obviously better to be on none. They classify risks in categories.

It is very complex and therapy has helped me deal with this grief and sadness. I lost a son in my 2nd trimester and have never been able to get pregnant again. I wasn’t on meds during pregnancy but much is unknown. The whole experience left profound grief and trauma. But that’s my sad story.

I’ve known other friends with bipolar who have raised children and managed bipolar and postpartum symptoms amazingly. I do know they have amazing supportive relationships both in spouses and parents and I think that’s really essential in managing anxiety and bipolar fluctuations.

It’s a big issue, kisses, and I encourage you to spend time on it in therapy. It’s a very biological part of ourselves, for some of us, and there are so many ways in which we can honor our maternal sides. Big ((((hugs))))

I took meds while pregnant haldol which is a class c drug. Prior to getting pregnant I wasn't on medication and it was necessary to start immediately due to being in the midst of an emwrgency though most doctors would have advised against it that early on. I was off meds the entire 3rd trimester and I felt fine something about the pregnancy hormones made me feel really stable..i think there should be more research on why that happens. I wanted to breastfeed but shortly after delivering my son symptoms returned and I had to go back on meds right away...

I took some of my meds and couldn't take some. Depending on what your BiPolar symptoms are, woman usually do better when they're pregnant, their symptoms lessen. Then after the baby is born you tend to crash...hard. So you have to get back on all meds right after the baby is born, which can stop breast feeding,which in the grand scheme of things is not that big a deal.

I've heard it's ok to take Latuda while pregnant, has anyone else heard that?

I read this piece online at webmd and it’s not very encouraging
https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-in-pregnancy

There are meds you can take when pregnant.... I would discuss this with your doc when or if the time comes..... Big hug.....xo

Thanks all. Im not sure I would even make a good mom. I struggle with watching my nieces and nephews every other weekend, I love to sleep in, Im hard to wake up, I get emotional when I am sleep deprived. I doubt I will ever get married, Hell i doubt I will live long enough to meet someone willing to commit to me for life. I guess all i can do is wait for a year of stability, take things as they come. The suicidal thoughts are still coming and going. I am anxious to see my therapist tomorrow to discuss everything with her. My mom doesnt seem to have high hopes for me, and she means a lot to me, so if she doesnt believe in me how an I expected to believe in myself

Waiting until you've achieved a long-term stability sounds like a very good idea.

But I want to say something about your mother “not having high hopes for you” . . . Is this just with regards to having a baby or is this a more general attitude of your moms because it does not sound very supportive.

I can understand her reservations about your getting pregnant but I do think having loved ones who believe in us, in general, is very important.

I know it's a big question in our life...I get it, I really really do. I think working toward stability is a good focus....because with stability and strength in managing BP, knowing when it's time for a med tweak, realizing you can work through things on your own with all the skills you will have developed in therapy....well then, all the other things will fall into place. I don't mean like Happily Ever After, but STRENGTH in managing the symptoms. Being in tune with the mechanics of your thinking. Maybe someone else can elaborate on that. It's hard work! But so worth it. Don't give up, kisses. Never give up.

My parents haven't always been supportive, I think a lot of people have felt that. I know I've talked to many people who really struggled to find support in life. I hope as you go through life and keep learning, you'll find and connect with people who support you. And sometimes, it can be something as small as a compliment from a stranger that you can carry with you. I tend to have a more artsy take on life and It's helped me to recognize the SUPPORT I never felt I had....by seeing the enormity of hope in the smallest gestures. (Sorry for getting hippie dippie guys haha)

Thanks guys. My mom is supportive In that she understands my illness and that I can’t do social things easily if at all. She knows what gives me anxiety and how to help me through it. But I know she doesn’t believe I will be independent from her and my dad. Meaning she thinks I’ll nwver move out or get married or go to school. She wants to be helpful but she worries everyday that I may be overdoing it.

I don’t want to paint a bad picture of her. She is a good mom. She has just seen me at my worst and like me, she is afraid of when I relapse. We all live in fear but continue to live our lives

And also I haven’t discussed getting pregnant with her or anyone else. I’m not even near ready for it so why bring it up.