Lithium and depakote not advised during pregnancy. However you could be switched to lamictal which is another mood stabilizer. It is not hepatoxic like the other 2 and doesnt carry most of the risks. My wife works in OB.

Important thing is that your OB and Pdoc communicate with each other directly.

I think I've shared this a million times, but that's because so many ask about drugs and pregnancy.

I have a beautiful happy 23 mos. old daughter who I baked in my belly for 9 months while taking Lamictal and Effexor. I was taking those before and after my pregnancy as well. From what I understand, Lamictal is best during pregnancy, but for breastfeeding, Lithium is best (it's already in the baby's body since it's from the earth).

Honestly, I would get another Pdoc if he/she is saying that Lithium is a good choice for pregnancy??
Good luck.

I have never heard a dr. even remotely imply that lithium is safe during pregnancy. I was on lithium and the moment I found out I was pregnant, every one of my dr.s (O.B., Family Physician, Therapist and PDoc)freaked. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR BREASTFEEDING OR PREGNANCY! I have been told this so many times i could go deaf.

Lithium is one of the safest drugs out there for pregnancy because it has been around for so long and has been tested a lot. The only problem with it is that like 1 in 1,000 babies born on it are born with a cleft palate. Lamictal and Seroquel are supposed to be pretty safe as well. OBGYN's will always say to stay off drugs when you're mentally ill. Do you think they say the same thing to people with epilepsy or diabetes? Probably not. It is a double standard. Try to find an OB who understands your situation. The rule of thumb is that you have to weigh your options. If you go off meds, is it likely that you will get sick? If so, depression and/or mania can be just as devastating as any drug to an unborn baby.

I have a cousin who has been on Lithium for many years and her doctors have ALWAYS told her NOT to get pregnant on it. I'd do more research. If there's any chance at all of it harming an unborn, I wouldn't take the chance.

I recommend reading this and not just taking word one way or another. Also I would suggest looking up further info than that I have listed below.


http://www.otispregnancy.org/pdf/lithium.pdf

Also, check with an OB doc and maybe a pediatrician. They would know better.

Sorry - it's the Lamictal that runs the risk of cleft palate, and with Lithium there's a risk of serious heart defect (that I think is like 1 in 1,000)

I was told I would need to stay on Lithium if I decided to get pregnant. Speak to your pdoc AND your GP. 2 different opinions is a good thing.