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.

A recent study of 89 women with bipolar was done at Emory University and Harvard Medical School. Of those studied nearly two thirds of those who took part stopped their drug medications for bipolar disorder during those 26 weeks period and 12 weeks after conception. The difference on women who did not stop their medications after they have conceived, when compared with women who stopped taking their medications 3 months after conception is great.

Result of Discontinuing

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

Pregnant women with bipolar symptoms can go into prenatal care risks, with nutrition problem for both her and the fetus, if bipolar are not treated. Relapses often has occurred with episodes which can be both dangerous for the baby and mother. When not treated, alcohol consumption and tobacco use increases, mother and child attachment is disrupted, and great stress to the family. Behavioral and emotional difficulty risks has been seen with children with depressed mothers.

Mood stabilizers and it’s Risks

Most mood stabilizers pose high risks for birth deficiency. According to Food and Drug Administration classification, divalproex and lithium fall in the category D drugs for pregnancy which can cause both abnormalities and cardiovascular problems in the baby.

Finally

Even during pregnancy, like some other mental illnesses with serious difficulties, bipolar disorder patients will require taking their drug medications. Pregnant during their reproduction years, women with bipolar do go into very high risks. This article have given some light into why you should continue with bipolar medications when pregnant – it is a better risk to take.

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