Pregnancy and medication

[Girlbond_007]

Hi everyone,

really want to plan baby number two however am a bit cautious being on new medication this time around. Have been on antidepressants for years but in the past 12 months my GP has changed it to include a very mild dose of bi-polar medication to help,augment my current dosage.

are there any mums out there who have been pregnant while on these types of drugs? I am just the looking for your experience and if Bub had any withdrawals or problems. I am super scared to go any further with planning as I have read it can cause breathing difficulties. I understand there is always a risk with medication passing the placenta however I am also really scared to try and come off the medication as I have had difficulties in the past.

thanks in advance.

[Just Sara]

Hi 007!

This is a really interesting subject I must say. I can't actually relate, as I wasn't on med's when I conceived. But I can put the word out for some experienced input if you like.

You seem really together and making smart decisions. So well done! I hope you've been scouting the threads to talk and read. If you've been asking Dr Google questions, please remember the info there may be dubious. Talking to your GP, Psychiatrist and Gyno will shed more professional (individualised) light on the issue.

Take care and continue with your research and baby plans, children are a blessing.

Sara (hugs)

[Kazzl]

Hi Girlbond007, welcome to the forum.

I echo everything Sara has said, especially about talking with your GP or, if you have one, psych. I'm bipolar, but well past the age where conception is an issue, so I've never had cause to consider the effect of the drugs I take. I wasn't diagnosed when I had my kids and wasn't on any kind of medication.

But either way, whether you go off medication or not, you will need to take extra care of yourself during the pregnancy, and I too am impressed with your well-considered approach in seeking information first and being prepared.

I have had to come off medication too in the past (antidepressants) and it's very hard, so I understand your concern there. However, we can and do get through it, with support and a doctor who cares and keeps an eye on us. So if you have to, again, make sure you stay in regular contact with your doc.

I hope you'll stay with us and let us know what you find out from your doctor.

Very best wishes

Kaz

[Sunny_side]

Hello Girlbond 007,

when I saw your post, I can relate to how you are feeling.

i have had anxiety for 3 years now - officially diagnosed. But I think I have Had anxiety all my life and i got to the point where I couldn't cope and things all came out 3 years ago.

We have two kiddies and planning number 3 again. We tried last year but miscarried early on. I made a rash decision and went off my meds cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant. Things came crashing down again and it has taken all year to work back to being myself (still have anxiety attacks but able to cope better).

So this time I am having a planned approach - starting with finding out as much as I can.

My GP has given me advice, so has my psychologist. I am doing some reading online.

I don't really have any help with your medication And the effects on bun after birth as I was not on medication with the first two. but can totally relate how you feel and what a big decision it feels like. I am nervous as I don't want to have another melt down and know that I how two kids who need me too.

Thank you for starting this post.

All the best.

💜 Sunny

[CheeseSlices]

Pregnancy and medication do not mix. I do not know what the withdrawal in babies is - no one has researched it. But I do personally know of woman who lost their babies at full term while on medication. "Safe" medication sometimes causes heart and birth problems. Many woman argue they didnt have issues - but they are lucky. Simple as that. Its luck of the draw when you take drugs while pregnant.

I urge you to keep doing your research. Doctors do not know all. Keep in mind if you come off meds before getting pregnant, hormones will mask withdrawal and it may hit very hard after the birth. It takes years to safely get off medication.

[Just Sara]

Hi CheeseSlice;

Could I ask where the info you've given is from? Stat's or medical journals for instance? Maybe personal experience or supporting another person close to you? It'd be interesting to hear why you're so passionate about this issue too.

007 is doing what she can to plan for another child. It's a special time and this decision I'm sure has been well thought out and discussed with her partner. If you have books or places for her to seek help, it'd be nice if you could elaborate.

Sincerely...Sara

[CheeseSlices]

 

This lady was lovely and always more manic when I knew her (less then 2 years before she tried to kill herself and her children) - friends with everyone, singing at the top of her lungs in singstar. Until they drugged her into a zombie who raided the crackers every night. She was discharged a bumbling idiot. No wonder she wanted off the drugs!

Mediation causes a chemical imbalance whilst the pregnant body is trying to care for itself. It puts a spanner in the works of a functional body.

I had miscarried last year on "safe" medication and "safe" contraception. It was horrendous.

I truly hope no woman has to go through what we have.

[Kazzl]

Hi Cheeseslices. Oh I am so sorry about the terrible experiences you have had and those of the women you know. I can understand that you have very strong views on this - and certainly Girlbond007 did ask for experiences and opinions.

But I would caution that we should keep in mind that the experiences of one or a few do not mean they will be the experiences of all, cautionary tales though they are.

I can understand too with your experiences CS why you would have issues with the medical profession. And I share some of your concerns. However, for those of us with bipolar, well some of us at least feel we have no option but to trust our doctors and psychiatrists. I know that if I was unmedicated I would not be able to function, and people I know with the more severe bipolar type 1 (I'm type 2, much milder) say they would most likely not be alive (this is after previous suicide attempts while unmedicated). So it's a tough decision for people who would prefer to not be medicated or in the care of the medical profession. But anyways, that's not really the issue here.

For Girlbond 007, from what I understand, the issue is what are the potential effects of staying on or going off medication if she wants to and does concieve. Girlbond, I'd encourage you to look at the Black Dog Institute's website and look for a paper entitled Treatments for Bipolar Disorder During Pregnancy. It's straightforward and factual, and the BD Institute is a reliable authority on bipolar.

Again I stress that you talk with your doctor, but perhaps take some reputable resources like the BD Institute article in with you. It might be that if you do conceive you'll need specialist care from a psychiatrist who knows the drugs better than a GP, but talk with your GP first.

I expect a lot will probably depend on the severity of your disorder (eg bipolar 1 or 2). There would most likely be different clinical approaches depending on whether you have previously experienced mania, delusions and loss of touch with reality, or suicidal ideation or attempt.

Best wishes to all the women who have posted here. I think Girlbond's name is most appropriate.

Kaz

xx

[Girlbond_007]

Hello everyone,

thank you so much for all of your advice and experience sharing, I really do appreciate it.

firstly I am not actually bipolar but diagnosed GAD, the secondary meds were prescribed to help calm my racing thoughts and endless intrusive ones too. Which I can say has helped a lot as I also wasn't sleeping was a two year old at home and also juggling a job working from home for my employer.

as mentioned I was on antipdepressnts during my first pregnancy and all was fine and I knew the risks of that medication. Yes Kazzl you are right, my concern is how I will be coming off the secondary medication during my second planned pregnancy and coping with a now 4 year old and also the job on top of this. I am thinking of my health and considering the possible risks staying on this medication during pregnancy 2.

I am really bad with dr googling as I also have some health anxiety but must remember not to believe everything I read. I have spoken with a new GP who says if I want to get off the medication she will help me but also put it out there as a goal for me. I know it won't be easy and I agree, we all have the ability to do it. Just scared because I know what happened the first time I tried but that was with a bunch of dr's who told me to come off medication too quickly or go cold turkey. Obviously I don't see any of these before as they cannot really understand what it's like to do this and the toll it takes.

Keep you all posted

[Girlbond_007]

Hi Sunny,

if you happen to find any good link or references I would be very interested to know. I agree, it is a very hard decision when you have to consider your own health and staying well for your family.

wishing you all the best with your family

Girlbond 😀