How bad is lithium for women who are pregnant? psychiatrist advised me to take it, but guino said not to. i'm bipolar

Ask for other option: Lithium has been known to cause harm to the fetus. There are many mood stabiliizers to choose from. Discuss other options with your psychiatrist. If you have tried other drugs and only lithium prevents manic episodes, then it's a difficult decision. Try to get your psychiatrist and ob/gyn to talk to each other and discuss their concerns.

Lithium/pregnancy: During pregnancy listen to both your psychiatrist and obstetrician. They have different priorities. Request that they communicate. Lithium is category d. This means there is positive evidence of fetal risk. There can be serious heart issues as well as well as other postpartum health problems. The recommendation is to take lithium only if other meds not effective. Check latida-category b.

Apgenerally avoid: Unless proven to be life-saving with no other options lithium should be avoided during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.