Drugs and pregnancy

I've always wondered whether or not to have kids. I think I would like to have kids, but I also think if it never happens it won't be the end of the world. I'm kind of in the middle of it. But one of the big concerns I have is as a bipolar woman whether or not I should have kids, and whether or not I should stay on medications.

Beyond Blue had a little interesting article on this topic this morning. It's not a yes or no statement, really. Taking medication is a decision you take on with your doctor and your partner. It's something that can work for one person, and maybe not for another.

Scientists can't ethically test drugs on pregnant women, so there isn't a lot of information out there about the effects of drugs on a developing fetus. But there is a lot of anecdotal information. Think about when you go off your drugs now. What happens? You get manic, or depressed. Now add the wild card of pregnancy hormones and you have a lot of risk factors for a relapse.

So is it more important to you to be stable through your pregnancy and risk the side effects, or make sure there are no side effects from drugs and risk a relapse? One of the things the article reminds you of is the fact that when you're manic or depressed you're more likely to take actions that may put a pregnancy at risk; like driving erratically, missing appointments, drinking and smoking, etc.

It's a choice every woman has to make, and there is no right answer. You just have to weigh the pros and cons as you understand them, and go for it. It's all a crap shoot.