Bipolar in Women
Posted by Administrator in Mental Health.Women with chronic medical illnesses, including bipolar disorder, often desire to have children but are concerned about the impact of a pregnancy on their illness and about the potential effects of the medications that they take on their child. In a recent issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers summarized what is known from the research literature about this important issue.1 Their findings are summarized below.
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Because bipolar disorder emerges during young adulthood and persists throughout the lifespan, women of childbearing age are at risk for this illness. Pregnancy and delivery can influence the symptoms of bipolar disorder: pregnant women or new mothers with bipolar disorder have a sevenfold higher risk of hospital admission and a twofold higher risk for a recurrent episode, compared with those who have not recently delivered a child or are not pregnant.
Careful planning for pregnancy can help women with bipolar disorder optimally manage their illness to minimize their symptoms and avoid risks to the fetus. Experts suggest it is important to avoid sudden changes in medication during pregnancy, because such changes may increase side effects and risks to the fetus, and also increase the risk of relapse of the illness before or after the woman gives birth. Visit website