Bipolar Disorder and Pregnancy

Pregnancy is often the happiest time of a woman’s life. But when women have bipolar disorder, sometimes this happiness turns to intense fear. Fear for themselves and fear for thier child.

It is absolutely necessary for a woman with bipolar to have some kind of help from a phychiatrist during her pregnancy. Symptoms can be managed and things can be ok, but care should be taken and steps should be made to insure the safety of both mother and child.

Most physicians agree that medications such as Lithium and Depakote are the safest medications for bipolar disorder to take during pregnancy. They have the least adverse side effects on the fetus and they help the mom to be to stay on track and keep her illness in check. If you are pregnant with bipolar disorder, you should have a consultation meeting with both your phyciatrist and your OBGYN to make plans to have the healthiest pregancy for you and your baby that you possibly can.