Pregnant and bipolar.........

Hello, I have been medication free since September the 9th when I found out I was pregnant. I recently had to have a medical history review where I had to explain that I was diagnosed with bipolar a few years ago and that I am currently feeling fine. I am expecting twins and am very excited but am also scared that I may have the babies taken from me. Nobody has told me this will be the case but I wasn't diagnosed as bipolar when I had my little boy at 18, I have been in and out of hospital during his early life but thankfully my mum always took care of him during those times. I am now 28..
I am scared that I might get regular post natal depression and be admitted to hospital, sectioned or just have the babies taken away and ruin everything. I am determined not to let anything get me in a state and have been surprisingly fine off medication for this short while. I intend to try and breastfeed so I wont even be taking any medication for at least a few months after the babies are born. My partner has a very upbeat attitude and believes nothing could possibly go wrong. If anyone has any advice, has had children and suffered post natal or anything else I would appreciate the info. Thank you.

[maureen2]

Hi Ally,

I can understand your frustrations and fears.  I was diagnosed as bipolar during my second trimester and have not been on medication since the start of my pregnancy.  I do not really know a lot about why social services would take your children, but in order for them to take action, I would think they would need some evidence proving that you could not provide for the needs of your babies or in some way harm them.

As far as my pdoc is concerned, she wants me to start medication after delivery to avoid relapse.  I am not sure what your doctors (OB and pdoc) will suggest but I would definitely let them both know of your BP because of increased risk of post partum depression.   Another suggestion my doctor had was joining a support group for women with depression/mood disorders during and after pregnancy.  I am going to start going to one tomorrow.  I know some of the people there have post-partum depression so I am hoping to find out more about it first hand from them.  

Just so you know, from what I've read post-partum does not happen immediately after birth. It takes a few days to kick in.  Let other members of your household know the symptoms so they can help you get a hold of your doc if need be.  

I also suggest maximizing nonmedication treatments, like exercise, regular schedule. I found a site that describes some http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/03_treatment_app.html.  

Not sure if any of this helps.  I am here if you ever want someone to talk to.

[bernie40]

Hi Ally and congratulations!

I'm bipolar and had PPD - I have 4 children now and have never been threatened with having them taken away from me.  

If taking medication to stop the risks of PPD and also to treat your BP is recommended by your Dr and Psych - which is what they should suggest if they are doing their job properly - has got to be more beneficial to both you and your babies than staying off the meds just so you can breastfeed.  

None of my children were breastfed and they have all grown up good and strong (my eldest is nearly 15, youngest 6).

There are medications that are safe to take during pregnancy also, I would suggest being flexible about your choice here - in other words if your mood does start to drop or go high then a change of plan may be needed.  I think the risks of meds are more in the first trimester than any other, but the risks to you both if you leave BP untreated is just as great.

I'm happy to talk more about this and my own experience via PM if you would like that.

:-)

[Ally484]

Thank you both for responding, I appreciate your advice. I am weighing up the idea of going back to medication after the babies are born, I certainly wil do if anything starts to go wrong. l am quite determined to at least try to breastfeed if everything is ok, I don't know why I feel so strongly about trying to do this, If I'm ok, I will only do it for the first month or so then start back on medication as soon as I stop.  I will message you both privately, I do really appreciate advice on this. Bipolar is something I really struggle to accept, especially when I am feeling well, thank you again.

[LeftCoastChick]

Congrats!
It sounds like you have a suppotive partner and a great mum!

Logic here, why would you have your babies taken away from you if you are doing all the right things? They will only do that if they children are in danger. I know of one AD that I was told was fairly safe while pregnant, Zoloft. There have been some studies showing it was safe. I would say research before anything happens, so if you do crash, then you have an idea of what might be possible to take. Do you have a therapist and/or support group, I think that could be very beneficial to you. I also wouldn't risk your health by not considering drugs right after birth, I know that post partum can be deadly. After I miscarried, I really crashed because my hormones went all over the place. I wasn't diagnosed BP then, but very glad to have the AD, it could have been a lot worse. Like bulldozer said, there are safe drugs that you can take during your second trimester!

Make an action, it's good for anyone with BP, but especially good for you at this time.
check this out :
http://www.mentalhealthservices.ca/documents/WellnessRecoveryActionPlanHandout.pdf

It can be good if you are not feeling well and what you need, require and can be very helpful for your partner and family!

The social worker at the group recovery program I am in gave me a hand out so I can set up a binder. It's been my saving grace. When I really crashed, my best friend came over and I just pointed to the binder. It helped so I didnt' have to explain.

I hope this helps.

[monkeyc]

There are safe AD and MS drugs for bipolar patients - even Lithium is safe if managed and monitored - there is no need to put yourself and baby at risk but there is no need to be panicked by web forums and fear and scare stories as well - if you read some of the stuff people write about drugs you would never touch them, I mean Lithium is my pet peeve - so many people spread so much rubbish about it and yet its still the first line drug of choice for BP around the world because its safe and works for most people - you have to look beyond the web sometimes.

A good psychiatrist can advise you or direct you to someone who can advise you.

[Ally484]

Thanks for your responses, I am looking into  all avenues at the moment and will be meeting a new psychiatrist in the new year who will hopefully be able to give me some good advice. My last psychiatrist is leaving the area and I have only seen her once at the start of my pregnancy in October.

I do feel a bit abandoned at the moment, I decided myself to stop medication but did speak to my psychiatrist at the time and she seemed to think this was ok, but I should be prepared to go back to it if there were problems. I wish she had told me about this Zoloft, all I was told is that my drug (quetiapine) has only been around a few years and not much is known about the dangers of it to the babies.

I am finding myself quite moody at the moment but am still preparing to go without medication for as long as possible. Thank you again for the responses, sorry if I am slow to respond.

[therese83]

You sound good, but watch yourself.  Good you have a good partner and he can help you to notice how you are doing.

For me pregnancy was an upbeat time, but I have to admit I would come crashing down afterwards.  Just be careful and you Doctor is there if you need support.  It sounds like you are doing all the right things and I wish you the very best.

My Dad had schizophrenia and he gave us great stregnth, he was very accepting of us and never asked us to change in any way.  He was a lot of fun and a good listener.  Being not 'perfect' yourself really helps to be a better parent.  That is my view.

Love to you

[elwoodsf]

It has been 19 years since my first born and 18 since my second born. I stopped Lithium 6 mos. before I became pregnant with my first - doctors suggestion. I was fine until my second born turned 9 months. I wasn't taking anything in between pregnancy's. Please remember though, this was YEARS ago. I did suffer from PPD after my first born, such a change in my life. I quit my job where people asked me for advise and I chose to stay home, very disoriented from my usual routine. My second was born with a birth defect - cleft lip/palate. I was so glad I wasn't taking the drugs because I blamed myself for taking cough syrup once during his pregnancy. Evidence in my family has proven that this birth defect is hereditary, it would not have been linked to any of the drugs I had been taking before my first born. I really believe that becoming a new mother with my first and getting pregnant right away with my second helped my BP because of the hormone levels. What kept me going with my second was all the medical appts, surgeries and training I attended three times a week to feed him. I was forced to be on top of things. (I would not allow them to stick a feeding tube into him. The nursing staff did this while I was in the hospital for delivery and I came unglued. I think the entire hospital heard me and after that they were not allowed to touch him.) He is a regular pain in the arse teenager now.

As far as taking your babies away, I'm having a hard time understanding why they would. BP is not a life threatening disease unless unmedicated or unaccounted for and it sounds like your plan includes taking care of this after you have the babies and you are open about your disease with your family.

BTW ~ Congratulations to you and yours. I wish I could have more. I love being pregnant and a new mom. Teenagers are hell on wheels sometimes. I guess that's why I'm at a point where grandkids sound better LOL.

[pacernstride]

I think you are going to be fine. It sounds like you have some great people to be a support system for you and your babies. Def. stay on top of your post baby feelings. Are you going to go back on our meds after the babies are born? Anyways, just keep you ob up to date with how you are feeling, and also maybe tell her your concerns for your post pregnancy ups and downs. And with twins you will have them, any sane person would, lol and im sure she will put you to ease. I still take an anti-depressant since my son (hes almost 6) but truthfully I should have been on them before.

[pacernstride]

Also I agree with monkeyc, try not to get scared by what people say and write about the millions of different drug treatments. There is a reason there are so many different options, its because there isn't just one magic pill in the world that will work for everyone. What works for one or many for that matter may not be good for you. And don't be afraid to talk to your doctor her responsibility is to you!