Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

8,884 Members

129,554 Posts

0 Online

Tizzy 12/01/2008

I am pregnant and on meds. I knew i planned on getting prego so I told the pdoc and he set me up on meds that are supposedly "safe". At least the safest on the market. I don't believe it though and he told me that we would have to double the medicine when I DID get pregnant because my kidneys would start dumping at least 1/2 out of my system working on over time for the baby. I don't like the idea of taking meds at all let alone doubling them! I want to quit them, but I know I can't so my compromise is not to up them... I'm scared to go to the doc, but I feel like I need to because I am feeling depressed, and very out of control obsessive!~ i'm kind of freaking out, but it seems so selfish to be worried about how I feel when I could potential hurt my baby for the rest of his or her life! HELP what should I do?

kbdid 12/01/2008

I would ask your doc to cut you down to the absolute minimum. I'm not getting the double-dosing thing - your kidneys filter after the fact, not beforehand??? I could be totally wrong but that sounds odd to me.

deleted_user 12/01/2008

I was on anti-emesis meds for longer than I was supposed to be. I was vomiting every day and night and inbetween also. Baby came out fine, too fine as a matter of fact - he is a brilliant student, excellent health and mental capacity and overall a joy in everyones life. Your OBgyn will know which meds are good and bad for baby, I would run them all by her/him. Tell them that you can't do without them due to your situation/bipolar etc. They will know what is best for baby. I pray that a balance for you is in the works, I pray that baby will come out like mine, exceptionally smart and a joy to be around. Peace and love to you in this moment of joy in your life...Maria J.

deleted_user 12/01/2008

If you don't keep level and healthy then you could harm yourself, and thus the baby. Your little one needs you to be healthy. Talk to your doctor and tell him how you feel. Of course you're worried about your child- that's just how it should be :)

Call your pdoc and talk to them. It's ok to tell them that you're not comfortable with something. Perhaps your pdoc can give you information that you don't know or direct you in your own research.

They won't think bad of you for being concerned about your child. If you weren't concerned about your baby then that would be worrisome. Whether to take the meds or not is your choice, just make sure you have all the facts before you choose. Part of that is talking to your doc.

vickybea 12/01/2008

Hi, try a second opinion, google the name of the meds your doc wants to put you on learn as much as you can about them and put this question in the main discussion room there are a few bipolar mums around who could help you make up your mind.

The few posts from them that I've read show the majority stopped taking meds, some were fine because of their hormonal changes, while others really suffered and needed to take a milder form of their original meds to cope.

Sadly you can't really tell before stopping which way the hormonal swing will take you, I'm in the same position l'd love to get pregnant in a few years but have no idea what to do.....but good luck and never stop asking about the meds side effects for you or your baby especially as your child grows up.

Tizzy 12/01/2008

Thank you all so much for your help! I am going to call my OBGYN and then my PDOC. I have done the research online and have gone over it extensively with my Pdoc who is a specialist in pregnant with mental disorders. I just feel like so many doctors say one thing when a new med (and this is kind of a new med) comes out and then 30 years later you find out!..... oops. You know? Like Splenda? Asparteme? Equal!? I will look into this further. I was unmedicated for 28 years and never did anything to harm myself other than wanting to and fantasizing about it. i think i would be ok since everyone would be watching me closely.

vickybea 12/01/2008

ask if it would be ok for you to be on a lower dose or meds free for the first 3/4months asthey are the most crucial for your babies development and then have a steady rise in meds if you are unstable, because you can always bottle feed and not breast feed after you give birth.

vickybea 12/02/2008

fish oil
folic acid
St johns wort
ask your Dr about taking those instead of meds throughout your pregnancy and while breast feeding too

deleted_user 12/05/2008

well I don't think the doc. would give you something that would hurt your baby and why don't you ask you obgyn? they will tell you what is good for your baby!!! good luck and congratulations!!!!

Join the Conversation