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Will my medications or the disorder harm my baby?
Q: MY HUSBAND AND I ARE THINKING OF STARTING A FAMILY. WILL MY MEDICATIONS
AND DISORDER HARM THE BABY OR CAUSE ANY TROUBLE DURING PREGNANCY?
Dear Rebekah --
The disorder itself does not appear to; but the medications can, in the first
trimester especially. After that, more options open up. You must
work very closely with a psychiatrist who can tell you about these options so
you can plan appropriately. You should take great precautions not to
become pregnant while on lithium or Depakote or Tegretol (and probably the newer
ones too). You plan a pregnancy with your doctor, work out the timing, and
have your backup plans in place: with all that, most women can have pregnancies
with no problems. Make sure to plan for prevention of post-partum mood
changes as well, with your doctor.
Dr. Phelps
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