by Holly Inman

Created on: August 21, 2007

I think every mom-to-be should be concerned with the health of her unborn child. As such, through my five pregnancies, I have tried to be careful with what I ate and what medications I took. It would be entirely unfair for me to not give the baby every advantage taking care of myself could bring.

Unfortunately, I have not always had the best mental health. After my second child was born, I experienced some deep postpartum depression. It was all I could do to care for the baby, let alone myself. Adding in my two year little girl and I fell apart. I am so thankful that I have an amazing husband who stepped in and cared for the kids. I didn't understand what was happening. I could barely move. All I wanted to do was sleep.

Time was fast approaching for me to return to work. It became very clear that I was not going to be able to work in the condition I was in and finally brought it all up with my OBGYN at my six week appointment. He prescribed me an antidepressant and after two weeks on it I was doing so well, I stopped taking it. I was great at work. I picked up extra hours and everyone was amazed at the change in me.

It wasn't until years later, and several bad episodes that I was finally properly diagnosed as being bipolar type two. The medication I was required to be on is not pregnancy friendly medication and we had to plan our next children carefully. Through working with my mental health provider and my OBGYN we worked up a plan to help prevent the problems with postpartum depression and still try to maximize the health of the baby.

I stayed in close connection with my Counselor and she helped me stay mentally healthy as possible off medication. In my third trimester, I would return to using an antidepressant that is better for bipolar people and considered as safe as possible for unborn babies. Most antidepressants cause manic or hypomanic episodes if not taken with a mood stabilizer. This is why I had such energy after taking antidepressants the first time.

When my last two children were born, I was happy. I was able to fully appreciate the miracle of it and I wasn't wrapped up in anxiety and depression. My older children got to keep their mentally healthy mom when I returned home. The exhaustion that naturally comes with caring for a new born never tore me down. The medication through the third trimester prevented problems that could have potentially killed me before.

I know each individual woman has to make her pregnancy choices carefully and in cooperation with her health care providers. In my case, the choice to take antidepressants was right.

I have faced criticism for some of my choices and it always astounds me that it could be such a black or white issue for some. Sacrificing oneself never helps that baby grow to be healthy. Taking care of oneself the best one can always benefits the baby. And this clearly includes mental health needs.

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