Bipolar And Women

Research has shown that women who suffer from bipolar disorder have a higher risk of severe symptoms associated with this disorder during pregnancy as well as after having recently delivered a child which is why it is important that they continue their treatment for bipolar disorder, however, taking certain medications to control these symptoms can harm the fetus. In this medical guide on bipolar disorder, you will learn what medications to avoid and what may be the safest to take during pregnancy.

The Risk Factors of Depakote and Tegretol Taken During Pregnancy

Depakote is the mood stabilizer which is taken by many women who have bipolar disorder; however, it is recommended that if you are planning to become pregnant that you consult with your physician to change your medication before conceiving as Depakote can be harmful to the fetus.

If you are taking this medication and have an unplanned pregnancy, you should consult with your doctor who can help you to weigh the risk factors and benefits when taking this medication during pregnancy. Tegretol is also considered a high risk factor among medical experts particularly if this medication is started after conception as this can cause side effects which are more severe than in women who were already taking the drug at the time of conception.

Taking Lithium during Pregnancy

Lithium is one of the more common drugs taken by individuals for bipolar disorder and it is considered safest for women with this mental illness to continue taking this medication during pregnancy as research has shown that less than ten percent of women have a relapse of the symptoms of bipolar disorder after the birth of a child when they are taking this drug.

 Many women choose to switch to this medication when trying to conceive a child or after they become pregnant as it also has fewer risks associated with it when it comes to harming the fetus.