Bipolar pregnant women

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hi Nurse Friends

Have you ever taken care of a pregnant bipolar? How well did she do during her pregnancy?

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Specializes in L&D, Family Practice, HHA, IM.

Yes, I have. She stopped taking her meds during the pregnancy. Baby and she came out very well.

My oldest friend has been bipolar since 13-14 y.o.--classic manifestations of the disease. At 21, she became pregnant w/her dd, and hasn't had a relapse (in more than 9 years) of her symptoms. Though I was upset when she became pregnant (FOB uninvolved, two years of college, little money, etc), she's done very well (finished school, awaiting her CPA exams) since then.

I wonder if the pregnancy was her body's way of "fixing" itself. Anybody else have the same thoughts or experience?

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I have a friend that is bipolar and she has 2 kids. Her OB changed her meds (I don't know what they were) while she was pregnant and she did great. She has since gone back to her normal meds and hasn't had a problem.

I would think that if the doctor is aware of the problem and it is treated during the preg., the outcome will be fine. Her OB had her history and treated the problem w/o any major concern.

JMO

ERin

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

A friend of mine is bipolar and recently found out she was pregnant. She's taking lithium, zyprexa, and topomax. Her psychiatrist told her she was fine to continue on current meds. I told her to run to a new doc. I had recently heard of a psychiatrist who is a former OB and sent her to see her. I think she'll be fine, but don't want to take any chances with damage from the drugs.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
A friend of mine is bipolar and recently found out she was pregnant. She's taking lithium, zyprexa, and topomax. Her psychiatrist told her she was fine to continue on current meds. I told her to run to a new doc. I had recently heard of a psychiatrist who is a former OB and sent her to see her. I think she'll be fine, but don't want to take any chances with damage from the drugs.

I thought Lithium was a big No No when pregnant? Or am I wrong?

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.
I thought Lithium was a big No No when pregnant? Or am I wrong?

That's what I had always heard. That's why I told her to find a new doc. I thought the former OB-turned psychiatrist would have a good understanding of this. I may even see this doc myself as I think she would have a better understanding of the impact of hormones on my depression. (Sorry, that was off-topic!)

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