conceiving a child

So im 19 and i reeeeeally dont expect to have a child any time soon. Im just curious because some of my older friends are wanting children...but im on lithium, seroquel, venlafaxine, lamotrigine....and thats pretty much it...
but obviously it would affect the fetus, but to what extent do you think? Im assuming this would be an odd questiong to ask my psych. I personally think that the lithium would kill the fetus, even though it is a some what low dosage...


so this is more or less a curious question...i also do not intend to have children, i dont want to pass this disorder on.


JP :D Happy Holidays!

[monkeyc]

First things first - this is a question for a doctor.

Second not all children of BP parents have BP - yes studies show an increased risk factor but nothing is guaranteed and not all parents of BP children are BP>

On the drugs you mentioned.  

Lithium is singular in having more bad press, misguided fear and outright lies spread about it than just about anything else out there - its seen as the big bad drug when in reality its the single most effective mood stabiliser around and one of the only real mood stabilisers - Seroquel and the others were not designed for the Mood Stabilisation its actually a side effect.  

Lithium has been in use for over 50 years and many many women have had healthy normal babies on it.  Yes there are risks as there are with anything but they can be managed easily enough if needed -  here's one link : http://personalitymooddisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/lithium_in_pregnancy

Seroquel has not been studied in pregnant women and the FDA rates it a Category C for that reason however in animal trials it caused low birth weight babies and miscarriages and doctors are reccomended to not use it based on some reading this morning

Venlafaxine is Effxor an SSRI - the jury is very out on SSRI drugs on pregnant which is astounding considering doctors give them out to female patients on the drop of a hat.  Wyeth who make Effexor state that its Contraindicated during pregnancy due to some cases of low birth weight babies, miscarriages and increased defect risk.

On Lamotrigine - the FDA issued a warning in 2006 that mothers who take it during the first 3 months of pregnancy have an increased risk of babies born with a cleft palate or lip. Glaxo Smith Kline who make Lamactil state "Lamictal should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus".

Ironically Lithium is one of the safer meds.

And from where I sit if you want children have them, you should never hold back because of what might be, My wife cannot have children and I want them more than anything in the world, I would not hesitate because everything is a lottery in the end.

[Bear13]

Speaking from  personal experience, and that of the professionals I sought consultation with, I would definitely AVOID pregnancy on these sorts of drugs.  There are just not enough studies out there to determine the potential effects of these medications on the development of the fetus.  The first six weeks of fetal organ production are extrememly important, and the teratogenicity of the drugs can have a major impact on that development.  In the event that you decide to carry, there are certain things that could happen.  Ancephaly, encephaly, and spina bifida... the first two are fatal, no matter what, the spina bifida is a serious defect that could have long term, mostly likely fatal, effects on the child. These are just a few of the things that could happen during a pregnancy.  I found the most helpful research was googling things like "seroquel and pregnancy" "lamictal and pregnancy".  The results are heart wrenching. If a child is truly what you want, then you need to have a serious discussion with your pdoc about the potential ramifications of these medicines in your system.  It's an extremely difficult choice, one I would not wish on anyone, but the safest way to ensure a healthy baby, is to obviously not have these drugs present in your system... for a while before you try to conceive.  Yes, there are drugs that doctors say "minimize" the risk for birth defects, but that's a chance you will have to take.  Think very hard on the desire for a baby and then make a decision that is supported by both your pdoc and ob/gyn.  I was not so fortunate, and it was extremely painful to deal with.  I'm still struggling and would spare you that pain.  If you want to talk more in depth about my experience, you can send me a message or email me at haheadrick at aol.  (system always blanks out email addresses, but I'm sure you can understand what mine is.....