There are approximately 5.7 million adult American people affected by Bi-polar disorder or manic depression. Bipolar disorder is not more common amongst women , it is a misconception, because studies confirm that men and women are equally affected by the affliction. But the treatment for bipolar disorder are differ between man and women even the number of men and women affected by manic depression are similar. This is particularly important when treating bi-polar disorder in women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Since the onset of bi-polar disorder commonly occurs in young adulthood most women diagnosed with the illness will be of child bearing age for some time. It is important for women who have been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder to carefully weigh their treatment options if they plan to become pregnant.

The great caring plan can reducing the potential risks to mom and the fetus both. Certain special medications or the treatment for bipolar disorder for pregnant woman have been shown decrease the risk of birth defects. These medications include Tegretol and Depakote, two anticonvulsant medications that shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of bi-polar disorder even have great serious birth defects potential like spina bifida.

And lithium also the  first generation anti-psychotics such Haldol are preferred as good pregnant women's mood stabilizers because they have consistently shown minimal risk to the fetus.In most cases women consume Depakote to control their bi-polar symptoms are encouraged to switch to another mood stabilizer before conception, due to the increased risk of birth defects that has been associated with the use of Depakote during pregnancy.

In 2006 , there A study that released their research that 20.3 % of pregnant mom who took Depakote had babies who experienced serious adverse outcomes. This baffle number has pushed experts into an opinion about Depakote which should only be taken by pregnant women if it is absolutely needed by the mom for well being.

Spina bifida is the one of the most serious birth defects that has been associated with the use of Depakote. Spina bifida is a rare neural tube defect where some of the vertebrae overlaying the spinal cord are not fully formed and remain unfused and open.

In the population at large the risk of having a child born with spina bifida is less than 1 in 1000; however, if the fetus has been exposed to Depakote the risk of spina bifida can be as high as 2 percent.

It is extremely important that women who are using medications to treat the symptoms bi-polar disorder and plan on becoming pregnant carefully plan their pregnancy with their doctor to ensure that potential risks to the fetus are minimized.


Mom,you know what you should do now so be careful if you are in pregnant and have symptoms of bipolar disorder!! Just find good doctor and take the best treatment for bipolar disorder , just for your baby and yourself alive.