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Exploring the High Risk Issue of Pregnancy
Filed Under living with biplolar disorder | 30 Comments
bp Magazine features a story in the Spring 2007 issue titled “When Conception is the Question” by Michelle Roberts. The article delves into the challenges and triumphs of families affected by bipolar who are contemplating having, or not having children. Read about people with bipolar who have faced the challenges of pregnancy head-on, and who have kindly shared their stories with our readers. Their messages are open and frank, and they show both the joy and emotional anguish invloved in making such an important decision.
excerpted from bp Magazine:
Spring 2007 Issue
Genetic predisposition is considered a factor for the onset of bipolar disorder. Has family history had–or will it have a an impact in your decision to have children of your own?
The decision to have children is an involved one for any family, but when bipolar disorder is a factor the decision can become even more complex. Planning a pregnancy involves many considerations and sacrifices from both parents, and requires giving up things like caffeine, smoking, drinking alcohol and avoiding many kinds of over-the-counter or prescription medications.
For women who have bipolar, the list of considerations is even longer. Should stabalizing medications be discontinued? Will the baby have bipolar disorder? Will pregnancy cause an episode? Is there an increased risk for postpartum depression? Should breastfeeding continue while taking medication? Clearly these are difficult questions that don’t always have straight-forward answers.
Keerthy Sunder, MD, a psychiatrist practicing in San Francisco, California suggests that careful planning can help women manage their illness to minimize symptoms and avoid risks to their unborn child. Dr. Sunder has dual training as an OB/GYN and psychiatrist with expertise in perinatal psychiatry, and he suggests that “the bottom line is about the risk vs. benefit of continuing treatment.” They’re competing needs. Do you control the illness, or simply consider the baby?
Deciding to stop taking medications entirely has significant risks including a relapse of the illness that could prove dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child. The ultimate decision whether or not to use medications during pregnancy is a personal decision that must be made based on a woman’s specific circumstances, and with the input of expert advice from medical professionals.
Late last year, bp Magazine decided to explore the complicated questions of pregnancy and parenting when bipolar plays a role. The responses from readers to an email query published in the Winter 2007 issue were staggering. Hundreds of women and men from around the world responded by email with their thoughts on the topic.
Some readers told us they have decided not to have children, ever. Many more have decided, however, that the joy of parenthood is worth the risk–both to themselves and their children.
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