Antipsychotic medications while pregnant?

[SzAdmin]

This is for during pregnancy - and only the Phosphatidyl Choline has been tested in this application.

It reduces the stress hormone levels which impact brain development in the child - this is not shown to help already developed brains of older people (over the age of 2).

Stopping Schizophrenia Before Birth

Scientists have long called it a “brain booster.” Choline is a nutrient found in animal cells, like meat and fish, that is essential for human development. Not only does it aid in memory and learning, but researchers now believe choline could help prevent mental illness. Before he was even born, five-year old William Mason and his mom were part of a landmark research study. Mother, Lisa Mason, told Ivanhoe, “I thought that would be beneficial for my baby.” Researchers wanted to know if giving pregnant women choline would protect their babies against schizophrenia. One half of the women in the study were given a placebo. The other half took choline. After birth, the babies whose mothers …

[jamesrbc]

i think it must have been only five to six capsules .becuase I think in other studies the dosage was only 900 mg choline through the lecithin which was was around 5-6 gms .kindly check up whether it was the lecithin that was 6gms or whether it was the choline that was 6 gms

[SzAdmin]

Some general info on using antipsychotics during pregnancy: Definitely discuss with the doctor.

Antipsychotics During Pregnancy Not Tied to Physical Birth Defects

Taking antipsychotic medicines during pregnancy does not increase the risk for birth defects, a large new study has found. Antipsychotics are used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and other psychiatric disorders. Previous studies of their use during pregnancy have been small and have had mixed results. This study, in JAMA Psychiatry, reviewed records of 1,341,715 pregnant women, of whom 9,258 filled prescriptions for the newer atypical antipsychotics like quetiapine (Seroquel) or aripiprazole (Abilify), and 733 for older typical antipsychotics such as haloperidol (Haldol). All prescriptions were filled in the first trimester of pregnancy. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/…

Reproductive Safety of Second-Generation Antipsychotics: Current Data From the Massachusetts General Hospital National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics

Second-generation antipsychotics are used to treat a spectrum of psychiatric illnesses in reproductive-age women. The National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics was established to determine the risk of major malformations among infants exposed to second-generation antipsychotics during pregnancy relative to a comparison group of unexposed infants of mothers with histories of psychiatric morbidity. Method: Women were prospectively followed during pregnancy and the postpartum period; obstetric, labor, delivery, and pediatric medical records were obtained. Eligible enrollees were pregnant women ages 18–45. The Registry is based at the Center for Women’s Mental Health at Massachu…

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Use of psychotropic / antipsychotic drugs during pregnancy and breast-feeding

RESULTS: Sertraline and citalopram are first-line treatment among selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for depression. It is recommended to use lithium for bipolar disorders if an overall assessment finds an indication for mood-stabilizing treatment during pregnancy. Lamotrigine can be used. Valproate and carbamazepin are contraindicated. Olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine and clozapine can be used for bipolar disorders and schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: It is important that health professionals treating fertile women with a psychiatric disease discuss whether psychotropic drugs are needed during pregnancy and how it has to be administered. Source:

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Antipsychotic medication during pregnancy does affect babies

The observational study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, reveals that whilst most women gave birth to healthy babies, the use of mood stabilisers or higher doses of antipsychotics during pregnancy increased the need for special care after birth with 43 per cent of babies placed in a Special Care Nursery (SCN) or a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), almost three times the national rate in Australia. As well as an increased likelihood of the need for intensive care, the world-first study by experts from the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) and Monash University, shows antipsychotic drugs affects babies in other ways; 18 per cent were born prematurely, 37 per cent showed s…

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Pregnancy and Medication: Effects of Clozapine and other Atypical Antipsychotics on Infants Development Who Were Exposed to as Fetus

It sounds like doctors and patients need to weigh the risks of changing medications with the possibly greater negative impacts of Clozapine on the baby. Conclusion These results suggest that clozapine has more behavioral effects (i.e. more negative effects) on infants who were exposed to as a fetus than other atypical antipsychotics at 2 and 6 months of age. Full Article available here:

[anon73478309]

I wouldn’t risk it. Haldol is bad for adult and animal brains and bodies…and you pass it on to the baby…so I have no idea why it would not be bad for a developping brain and body of a baby. If I would want to be pregnant I’d try use neurofeedback to get off meds… that worked like meds, stopped my psychosis and depression, (until I quit the neurofeedback), still had side effects, but at least I see no way how these effects are passed on to the baby.

[LED]

This is a super old post. My daughter is a year old. I stayed on the haldol through the pregnancy and still ended up inpatient for a couple weeks. And I’m still taking it now while breastfeeding. It’s been okayed to take by my PDoc, OB, MFM, PCP, and LC. So far it’s going well.

[jamesrbc]

what about the phase after delivery and before 2 years

[Ninjastar]

@LED, do you want this thread closed?

[InnerCircle]

Most antipsychotics are rated pregnancy category C which means that risk cannot be excluded but may be outweighed by benefits. Two antpsychotics are pregnancy category B which indicates there is no evidence of risk to humans. These are lurasidone and clozapine.

It’s important that your psychiatrist and obstetrician are consulting with each other and carefully monitoring the situation.

Edit: Nevermind I see the update.

[Stillperkin]

Pregnant already, back off dose quietly but most of the developmental problems happen in first 2 months of pregnancy. Take pregnancy vitamins too.

Thinking about getting pregnant, quietly quit meds. If you don’t talk back to social harassers (thought broadcasters/preach stalkers), sometimes they leave you alone after a while.

I’ve seen the ladies force-fed the pills and shots in mental hospital, so they have tested on some people but usually the chick was REALLY pregnant and won’t hurt the baby unless it kills it. Fetus is well developed by then. KEEP QUIET AND DON’T WORRY ALOUD. I would avoid stressing places…DO NOT ARGUE WITH ANYONE OR GET MENTAL CARE PISSED WITH YOU!!!

Most people are not told the SSDI pays a ‘family’ benefit. You will get 50% more on SSDI check for children…but not PER child. Is just 1 payment, doesn’t increase with number of children. Talk to social security phone # when you deliver.

Hope it helps. Would just think fate and try to relax like yoga or sewing. Xstitch is easy to learn and seems to calm, same with knit/crochet…Drink milk!

[cbbrown]

my mother when undiagnosed while pregnant with my brother and he came out with all kinds of problems. she was pregnant with me and took an anti psychotic, smoked, drank and did drugs. I was born premature and with low body temperature. other than that I passed all my childhood mile stones without problem it wasn’t until my teenage and adult years did I develop problems.

i’m not saying its safe to take meds while pregnant. but I don’t agree with pansdisease that all anti psychotics are bad for you while pregnant yes but overall they save lives.

[SzAdmin]

@jamesrbc

what about the phase after delivery and before 2 years

If you are breast feeding - there is evidence that mothers need higher levels (e.g. 1+ grams/day of Phosphatidyl Choline and that it will benefit the child’s brain.

More info here:

http://www.ofhealthandbeauty.co.uk/2013/10/30/importance-of-choline-for-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/

and

Choline and breastfeeding?

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Breast feeding increases choline which means more brain cells

[LED]

Doesn’t matter. There is a lot of good information here. I just figured I’d follow up for people that aren’t paying attention to dates. Lol

[AndrewJohn]

Doctors realize your prob still want to have children… And yes even all the atypical give some sort of risk, condition or illness to the child… Be it during pregnancy or otherwise. The key is to get onto one atypical Ap and just take that Ap, keep on it and stay clean and sober. Doctors are actively finding solutions and cures for these problems. Yep maybe the baby is born with a weak heart. But if it’s just a weak heart that’s pretty easy fix. Even surgery if needed is possible. Ask your doctor what drugs are mainstream and ideal its these that have best chance at long term health.