The most frequent emails that I get from readers are about being on bipolar medication during pregnancy and if they can breastfeed. I have to say that it really is shocking that more information isn't available on the topic.
A few women I've been emailing have been really afraid to take ANYTHING during their pregnancy. I know that I myself wished I could have a drug free pregnancy. However, I know that realistically that would be dangerous for myself and would have been for my baby.
I personally was off my bipolar meds during the first trimester. Prior to getting pregnant I tapered off my all drugs except Lamictal. And I lowered my dose from 400mg of Lamictal to 150mg. Once I had a positive pregnancy test I went from 150 to 0 in 5 days. And remained off of the medication until week 14. When I went back on I did the starter pack all over again starting at 25mg and going to 150mg over several weeks.
An interesting thing happened during week 7 of my pregnancy. I got VERY sick. It was not normal morning sickness. I was throwing up more than 10 times a day. The day before I saw my OB/GYN at the beginning of week 8 I threw up 12 times in one day. Needless to say I was dehydrated and very weak. I lost 5 pounds in one week and had ketones in my urine (which is not good during pregnancy since it means you are burning stored fat). My doctor diagnosed Hyperemesis. And put me on zofran - a strong nausea medicine originally developed for patients undergoing chemotherapy. I would not have been able to continue my pregnancy had I not been on zofran. I would have certainly lost the baby and put myself in dire straights since I was not able to keep even water down.
There is one positive thing about having to go on zofran -- it made it easier to accept that I was going to go back on Lamictal. It helped me to realize that sometimes medication is REALLY a good thing. And that the benefits of many meds outweighs the potential risks.
Some moms have questioned the fact that I am on Lamictal while breastfeeding since it does pass into breastmilk. However, both my psychiatrist and my baby's pediatrician felt the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks associated. I've talked about this is past posts -- but I wanted to mention it again. Pretty much ALL medications pass into breastmilk -- as does environmental toxins like dioxin. The question is really how does a baby respond. If you are considering taking medication while breastfeeding I highly recommend the book Medications and Mother's Milk by Thomas Hale. I also recommend reading KellyMom's article about breastfeeding and medications.
Feel free to email me.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I'm on seriquil. It does transfer to the milk when breastfeeding but I there are no risks documented yet.
I am 3 months pregnant and was wondering if I should try Lamictil or just do my own experiment with seriquil?
I could switch and let the baby get used to Lamictil in their system. I really want to breastfeed. Everyone has been discouraging me. It can feel so lonely at times!
Hi, I'm Laura. I just want to say how wonderful it is to hear of mothers who are putting their babies right to their breastmilk in connection with their right to be well. There are so many moms who forgo breastfeeding altogether because of having to take meds for such disorders as bipolar, and other mood disorders. Your story is very encouraging and thank you for sharing.
Lamictal causes high platelet counts in your newborn. Please be careful!
@hurlermom2005
I had never heard that about Lamicatal before. That is interesting to hear. My daughter's platlet count was normal when she was born. I was on a low dose of Lamictal for the second and third trimester. Thank you for sharing that info!
I am bipolar type 1. I have a 9yr old daughter who I had at 25 yrs old totally med free & with no medical upsets or complications to speak of.I am currently 35 yrs old & almost 5 months pregnant thru ivf with my husbands babygirl. I have been off all my mood stabilisers from the time of ivf treatment which makes that a total of almost 8 months med free. In that time I developed an overactive thyroid which caused major health concerns including severe & constant nausea resulting in severe weightloss & being hospitalised in the maternity ward for dehydration. It also triggered my mood disorder & mania set in. I refused to take any mood stabiliers due to my precious pregnancy & decided on electro convulsive therapy instead (i.e being put under with an anaesthetic & having a fit/seizure induced by sending an electric current thru my brain)I underwent 5 treatments...which stabilised me mentally but resulted in some permanent & semi-permanent memory loss. It has been a rough, tough journey for us all... but my husband always reminds me that I am the bravest woman he has ever known...& that our unborn babygirl & everything will be ok in the end.
I am bipolar type 1. I have a 9yr old daughter who I had at 25 yrs old totally med free & with no medical upsets or complications to speak of.I am currently 35 yrs old & almost 5 months pregnant thru ivf with my husbands babygirl. I have been off all my mood stabilisers from the time of ivf treatment which makes that a total of almost 8 months med free. In that time I developed an overactive thyroid which caused major health concerns including severe & constant nausea resulting in severe weightloss & being hospitalised in the maternity ward for dehydration. It also triggered my mood disorder & mania set in. I refused to take any mood stabiliers due to my precious pregnancy & decided on electro convulsive therapy instead (i.e being put under with an anaesthetic & having a fit/seizure induced by sending an electric current thru my brain)I underwent 5 treatments...which stabilised me mentally but resulted in some permanent & semi-permanent memory loss. It has been a rough, tough journey for us all... but my husband always reminds me that I am the bravest woman he has ever known...& that our unborn babygirl & everything will be ok in the end.
Post a Comment