Pregnancy and bipolar

My daughter-in-law, sho is bipolar, just became pregnant, it was not planned, she is on a lot of serious medication, lamictal, topomax (topamax), cymbalta, xanax.  She is seeing her doctor's this week.  We are all terrified that there will be something seriously wrong with the baby.  Any advice or help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
bonlou

[monkeyc]

How pregnant is she?

First thing first is to relax and stop being terrified - Bipolar women give birth to healthy babies all the time - it just means some drugs may need to be adjusted or changed.

Lamictal for example does carry a risk as does Topomax (topamax) and Xanaz but these can all be changed - theyre not the worst drugs or the most serious ones in their categories so its important not to stress about this right now - the doctors will work with your daughter in law to help her find safe drugs and you also need to realise that risk factors are just that - often a risk factor may be as low as 1 in 100000 cases so reading a list and assuming they will happen is terrifying yourself for no reason.

[Cherie762]

agree with above... she really needs her ibgyns advice on meds..and the love n support of family for the rest pregnancy brings out hormones in any woman so it may be harder for her than most or she may have an easy time, only time will tell..just keep all energy positive around her,

[Cherie762]

thats obgyn not the other typo

[irishwriter]

also agree, try not to be terrified, i have read about many women with wonderful children who have taken meds while pregnant. talk to doc. one of my children was conceived after rape and at the time i was on xanax. it did no harm at all. just try not to worry too much, i know, easier said than done!

[bonlou]

Thanks for all of your positive feedback.  She's only 6 weeks pregnant.  She's at her psychiartirst's office right now and has appointment with obgyn thresday.  They will work together.  We are a very close family and will help her in any way we can.
Bonlou