There is a big dilemma by doctors on pregnant women who have bipolar disorder symptoms, because of the possible harm of medication to the baby in the womb. There is the other risk of mood episodes reoccurring in the mother if she decides not to take her bipolar medication. Most doctors are faced with the difficult task of choosing between the baby having birth defects if medication is continued or the possible re occurrence or relapse in the mother if drugs are discontinued.
Recent Studies on Mood Stabilizers
In the 2007 December American Journal of Psychiatry, it has been published that there is a possibility of bipolar coming back due to intermission in pharmacotherapy. The study has warned that pregnant women with the disorder who stop taking their mood stabilizers are very likely to suffer severely when the illness returns.
Those at the Emory University and Harvard Medical School studied 89 bipolar women. All these women were pregnant or planning to get pregnant and of these women studied nearly two thirds of those taking part did not continue with their drug medications during the six months period and 12 weeks s after they conceived. The other 1/3 continued on 3 months after they had conceived. From those women who stopped taking their drugs when compared with women who did not stop taking their stabilizers, the difference is clear.
When Women Discontinue
Women who stopped their prescribed drugs doubled their chance of their bipolar coming back of at least one to two episodes of the illness. Of women who stopped their medicated drugs, these women spent nearly 40% of their pregnant time with the bipolar symptoms compared to less than 10%who continued with their bipolar drugs and were able to do their work normally.
Pregnancy and Fetus
Freeman has revealed that by the time a woman knows she is pregnant, the high risk for the baby fetus has already gone. For women to stop their medication even for a short a short time can pose very high risk rather than a protection for the baby in the womb.
Not Treated Bipolar and the Risks
Relapses can occur with bipolar episodes which can be both dangerous for the mother and the fetus. Pregnant women with the disorder can have problems to prenatal care, not enough nutrition for both her and the fetus if bipolar disorder are left untreated. Disruption to mother child attachment, stress to the family, alcohol consumption and tobacco use can increase. Children with mothers who are depressed can run into emotional and behavioral problems.
Mood stabilizers and it's Risks
Nearly all mood stabilizers do pose high risks of birth deficiency. According to FDA classification, Lithium and divalproex fall in the pregnancy category D drugs and both can cause abnormalities and cardiovascular defects in the baby.
Final Word
Like some other mental illnesses with serious difficulties, bipolar disorder patients may require continuing with their drug medications even during pregnancy. Women with bipolar do go into high risks when they get pregnant during their reproduction years. At least we have given some light into why you should take bipolar medications when pregnant, for it is a smaller risk to take.
Recent Studies on Mood Stabilizers
In the 2007 December American Journal of Psychiatry, it has been published that there is a possibility of bipolar coming back due to intermission in pharmacotherapy. The study has warned that pregnant women with the disorder who stop taking their mood stabilizers are very likely to suffer severely when the illness returns.
Those at the Emory University and Harvard Medical School studied 89 bipolar women. All these women were pregnant or planning to get pregnant and of these women studied nearly two thirds of those taking part did not continue with their drug medications during the six months period and 12 weeks s after they conceived. The other 1/3 continued on 3 months after they had conceived. From those women who stopped taking their drugs when compared with women who did not stop taking their stabilizers, the difference is clear.
When Women Discontinue
Women who stopped their prescribed drugs doubled their chance of their bipolar coming back of at least one to two episodes of the illness. Of women who stopped their medicated drugs, these women spent nearly 40% of their pregnant time with the bipolar symptoms compared to less than 10%who continued with their bipolar drugs and were able to do their work normally.
Pregnancy and Fetus
Freeman has revealed that by the time a woman knows she is pregnant, the high risk for the baby fetus has already gone. For women to stop their medication even for a short a short time can pose very high risk rather than a protection for the baby in the womb.
Not Treated Bipolar and the Risks
Relapses can occur with bipolar episodes which can be both dangerous for the mother and the fetus. Pregnant women with the disorder can have problems to prenatal care, not enough nutrition for both her and the fetus if bipolar disorder are left untreated. Disruption to mother child attachment, stress to the family, alcohol consumption and tobacco use can increase. Children with mothers who are depressed can run into emotional and behavioral problems.
Mood stabilizers and it's Risks
Nearly all mood stabilizers do pose high risks of birth deficiency. According to FDA classification, Lithium and divalproex fall in the pregnancy category D drugs and both can cause abnormalities and cardiovascular defects in the baby.
Final Word
Like some other mental illnesses with serious difficulties, bipolar disorder patients may require continuing with their drug medications even during pregnancy. Women with bipolar do go into high risks when they get pregnant during their reproduction years. At least we have given some light into why you should take bipolar medications when pregnant, for it is a smaller risk to take.
About the Author:
Ken P Doyle is an advocate for bipolar disorder and has a wealth of knowledge on mental illness. As an advocate he would like to share some FREE information and findings on bipolar symptoms and bipolar medication.
