Anyone bipolar & been pregnant- did you take medication during your pregnancies?

Question:

I have bipolar type 2 and am 6 weeks away from my scheduled c-section. I haven't taken any medication during this pregnancy or with my other child. I have had pretty bad anxiety throughout the pregnancy and some lack of concentration but until recently I was able to manage . I haven't slept well from the beginning of the pregnancy but now I have only been sleeping 2- 4 hours a night for about the last 5 weeks and it has caught up with me. I normally have to take high dosages of benzodiazepenes to sleep & obviously I can't do that while pregnant. I take benadryl or tylenol PM, which are both a joke but it has been better than nothing until this point. I know there are other things I could take that might take the edge off so I can sleep but I am not sure if I should for the sake of the baby's health. I have been holding on by the skin of my teeth and I know I don't have that much longer to go but I don't want to start out having had no sleep when the new baby gets here. Help!

Answers:
I am 39 weeks along and I have stopped taking my bipolar meds and my anti-depression meds. The first few months were really hard- I know I drove plently of people crazy with my mood swings and emotional ruts. But now, I don't think I need the meds anymore and my psychiatrist thinks I've done a great transition but she would just like to watch me during the first few months after the baby is born. As for your sleeping problems, I suffered them as well and mentioned this to my OB who prescribed me Ambien. It works very well and my OB says it's okay for me to take.

even if you are not bi-polar, postnatal depression is very common.

i was VERY depressed after pregnancy, and its so hard-- especially if you are a single parent.

make people aware of it, and try to have someone by your side to help care for your child if you are feeling down.

I wish you the best of luck!

go to your doctor now and ask him/her about your medications. they should know what you can and can't take.

RELAX!
And Congratulations!!
You are going through what all expectant mothers go through.
When the baby arrives, sleep according to your baby's sleep patterns. So u might be up at night, sleep during the day. It will be wonky sleep patterns for the first year. So get ready!
Women really are not told alot, perhaps it should be said that when you have a kid prepare for at least 3-4 years of NO SLEEP.
So its really up to you to educate your self with health matters.
Don't rely on Doctors for everything.

As for your bipolar condition: please read this:
http://www.amazon.ca/your-drug-may-probl...

Tons of info here:http://www.breggin.com/

Peace & Love!

Anyone bipolar & been pregnant- did you take medication during your pregnancies?

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