medications and pregnancy

[MelissaMommyof3]

(this post is about being on medication and pregnant)

Hello everyone an congrats on being able to experience God's work. Being a mother is truly an amazing gift and a feeling like no other. It's truly a miracle..


so my main reason for joining medhelp was to meet some moms who share the same worries,fears, concerns and feelings i do. I guess i wanted to know im not alone and that their are other moms out there who are going through exactly what i am or know someone who has.

i have had 2 healthy and successful pregnancies. both boys Austin 10, Christian 2. but it seems no matter how many children you have when you get pregnant you seem to have the same questions and concerns even though you have been through this already.

with my first son i worked until i was 8 1/2 months pregnant. with this pregnancy i took parenting classes and read every magazine there was about what is going on inside me and how to take care of my self so i cld have a healthy pregnancy. i didnt drink coffee,eat processed cheese or any other food that was a concern. I never took a single tylenal no matter how much i was suffering. anyway.. with my second son i had insomnia so the doc said i could take benedryl at bedtime. and i did have the occational mocha from tim hortons and im sure ate cheese too. in fact my doctor said the week before i was due i cld have 2 glasses of red wine before bed to help me fall alseep. i am by no means a drinker and actually didnt care for red wine but i was so desprate to get much needed sleep i did have a one small glass of red wine 3 times per week before i was do.. i was alittle bit more laid back with this pregnancy but still read every thing i could read and was very careful just as my first

so here comes baby #3 and i was diagnosed with bi polar one yr ago. so when i found out i was pregnant i was taking close to 7 medications a day. i made a apt with my doctor who prescribes all my meds thinking he would take me off every single one of them bc all of what we hear is less is best and not to be quick to take even over the counter medications. well a big shockjer was he took me off 3 or 4 but i still am instructed to take 4 of them. all which are in cat C exp for xanax.

my doctor and obgyn have worked together and feel its best for me to stay on these meds bc the benefits out weigh the risk. i on my own tried coming off my one medication and started to notice i was easily aggitated and actually was quick to get aggresive, i got extremely moody to the point where it was not safe for me so i started back on my reg dose.

this is new to me i went from not taking any medication to being on 4 medications so yeah im kind of worried. so far everything is picture perfect for being 7weeks. but i still cant help to worry that these medications can be harmful in some way. my doc insists that i am in good hands and he has worked with many preg females who have taken these medications and have had very healthy out comes.

i just was wondering if anyone is taking any depression, anxiety or bi polar meds and either delivered or is now pregnant. i just want to know if everything is okay and how the pregnancy turned out. this is so new to me so its hard for me to adjust . i feel guilty every time i take my medication . but i know the outcome if i dont and i dont want to but myself or baby at risk.
well if anyone else is taking any medication pls feel fre to write me. it would be nice to know im not alone. and what would also be great is if i had the chance to talk to someone who delivered already and how their pregnancy went and how their baby is doing..  thanks for your time!!

[bernie40]

I think i've written you before so forgive me if I'm repeating myself, lol.  I have bipolar also and although I was taken off my depakote I am still taking lithium albeit a very low dose.

I have all the same worries that you mentioned and can't help feeling stressed that the meds will hurt the baby.  However I did have a long chat with my psych and she went through all the statistics with me and it really is only a very very small risk and one which I need to take otherwise I risk becoming ill which would be more harmful to the baby.

Feel free to inbox me whenever you need to chat. xx

[Eirlis]

While I don't take the same meds as you or have the same condition, I know exactly how you feel. I have ulcerative colitis. During my first pregnancy, my gastroenterologist had me stop taking my meds cold turkey. I did sortof okay without them, but not great. Then I miscarried and had a full flare up from all the emotional upheaval, so I went back on my meds.

With this pregnancy, I went off them again at the beginning, but wasn't able to stay very stable. My OB told me to go back on them since it's better for me and the baby for me to be healthy.

Even though I am definitely doing much better on the meds, like you, I still sometimes feel guilty for not being able to manage without them. Hopefully there's no ill effects on the baby for either of us!