Support

[DeChRi]

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[kathteach]

Hi Joanna,

Oh I feel for you. I am so sorry you are going through this.
Are there any pregnancy resource centers near you? I have some of the same feelings that you have, and even though I'm very prochoice I went there and told them I needed support to carry to term. They've set me up with counseling and parenting classes and I really feel more positive.
If you call this number 800-395-HELP they can find out if any resources are in your area. At the very least they can listen to you RIGHT NOW and maybe you can get a good cry out and feel a teeny bit better today.
I hope you feel better soon. Please feel free to vent here, there are lots of great women here to listen and support you.

[Undercover Hippie]

This is a good place to have an emotional breakdown. We will all understand. I'm sure that having to come off the meds is making it very difficult, the pregnancy hormones alone are hard enough! You are not alone in your feelings. Our life is not going too smoothly right now and I'm also having moments when I'm just not so sure about this baby. Yet when I had spotting a few weeks ago I was terrified of anything happening to it! So it is just not a rational time. I think it's normal to have a lot of crazy thoughts, it is just the way we process this huge change. I'm trying to focus on how wonderful it will be when the baby is here (or even when I get a little further in the PG and feel it move and don't feel yucky and am not quite so unstable with the hormones). There's just all the other stuff to get through first! Good luck!

[yogamama74]

Be gentle with yourself while coming off the meds. These freakin' hormones would make the most stable, happy, and balanced person feel insane. Trust me.

I took antidepressant and bipolar meds in my early twenties and had to come off of them too. There are other things you can take (I take 5 HTP) and lots of ways to deal. It must seem so overwhelming being pregnant with a little girl and work, and the relationship you spoke of....let yourself feel nuts for awhile, cry if you need to and come here to vent. Call the numbers above if you think you need extra help. There is no shame in any of it...lots of us have been there.

Sending prayers your way, let us know how you're doing.

[sorteep]

JoJo I am so sorry you are having a tough time, I am sure coming down off the meds in combination with stress and PG hormones is a tough combination, Try not to think there is something "wrong" with you, I think, given the circumstances, anyone would be feeling crazed.. try to hang in there and force yourself to think positive thoughts, anything positive, like, OH look, a pretty flower, anything to try to stop the neg things, mind games, I know, but it helps me some,
I am sorry your relationship is rough, this unexpected pg has put a hUGE stress on mine too, (he would term if he could.....he'll have to catch me and knock me unconscious first and run really fast after tho!!) regardless, you do have choices, just make sure they are YOUR choices and you take the time to make them carefully, hugs.. we're here
Laura

[GinaRae]

I don't think there's anything I can say that's better than what's been said, so all I can do is send you my good thoughts and hugs!!!! It's got to be SO tough where you're sitting right now. I am so sorry you're so stressed through all of this.

You HAVE to do what's best for you so you can care for yourself and your daughter. I hope you can squeeze the baby in there, but unless I walked in your shoes I couldn't ever pretend to think I know what it's like and tell you what to do. Hang tight, Mama, you'll make the right decisions and you'll be okay. Stressed, but okay!

Good luck!!!

[DeChRi]

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[toodypie]

to you.

It sounds like a tremendously stressful time for you and I'm glad you were able to call that number and your old therapist. This is a time of much turmoil under the best of circumstances; adding to that a troubled relationship and med. withdrawal sounds dreadful. Keep coming here for support, and perhaps consider whether some other medication might be helpful/suitable for you?

[De-lovely]

I just wanted to offer big big hugs and say that we are all here to support you in this stressful time....please be gentle with yourself....spending time with your DD sounds like a good idea....surround yourself with things and people that make you happy....it can be really hard to be joyous about a child when your relationship is off...I know that ALL too well.....it DOES get better though as long as you continue to take steps like you are to make it happen....keep us posted! HUGS!!

[scheelimama]

It's great that you are being proactive and doing the right things to help yourself. Hang in there!

[DeChRi]

I got a nap and some really good carry out from our local Indian restraunt. Funny how curry will fix nearly anything.

[Googy]

Jojo, I am so sorry for all your stress and struggle. I simply cannot add any sage advice to what the wise women above have already said. However, I know that I always feel better about things when I have a lot of knowledge and information about them. So, I found a couple good websites for you with advice about managing bipolar disorder during pregnacy:

http://www.healthyplace.com/communit...regnancy_3.asp

http://bipolar.about.com/od/pregnancy/Pregnancy.htm

Are you near Boston by any chance? Massachsetts General Hospital is currently conducting a study on bipolar disorder and pregnancy and is offering free treatment throughout pregnancy and 6 months postartum:
http://clinicaltrials.partners.org/trials.aspx?tId=867

The University of Pittsburg Medical Center is doing a similar study:
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/vol/297336629.html

Bipolar disorder and pregnancy is a "hot" issue in medicine right now, so you may want to check with your local hospitals to see if anyone there is conducting a study on this topic. Generally you will be given free therapy and support for participating in the study. Good luck, ejoy lots more good curries, and please keep us all posted!

[VeganC]

Originally Posted by sorteep

you do have choices, just make sure they are YOUR choices and you take the time to make them carefully, hugs.. we're here

That's pretty much what I was going to say. I know it must be extremely difficult to be in your situation and face this extremely difficult decision. Whatever you decide, make sure it is your decision. Don't take pressure from anybody. Take your time and trust yourself. Hugs!