@lizziesanswers: I have bipolar type 1 so am at increased risk of postpartum psychosis. For bipolar women, psychosis often happens in the middle of labor or immediately after. It would mean a 2 week stay in the psych ward separated from my baby. If it isn’t caught right away, it is a risk to my life and her life. I’ve done an enormous amount of research on how to decrease the likelihood of this happening to me. SO grateful psychiatry journals are posted online with public access! Inductions get a terrible rep on the internet, but for bipolar women they can prevent psychosis & mania. During natural labor the body releases an extreme amount of oxytocin and beta-endorphins. For women without bipolar these chemicals are incredible as a natural pain relief, reduce stress and reduce chances of postpartum depression and help with bonding with baby. Pitocin, the synthetic form of oxytocin given during an induction, does not cross the blood-brain barrier. Meaning, if the induction happens before natural labor then I can go into labor without the oxytocin wreaking havoc in my brain. Oxytocin triggers increased dopamine and serotonin and has an antidepressant effect which can trigger psychosis and mania. Beta-endorphins are also blocked by doing an induction. Another thing that decreases oxytocin is getting an epidural! I was considering an elective c-section, but found many studies that showed c-sections majorly increase postpartum psychosis. If I do have to do an emergency c-section I will decline certain pain medications which trigger psychosis. Induction also ensures I’ll get a good night sleep. I show up to the hospital at night to start the drugs, sleep that night in the hospital and then the next day start dilating and give birth, rather than a natural labor that could wake me up with contractions in the middle of the night. Sleep deprivation is a huge trigger for postpartum psychosis, so my doctor put in my chart for the nurses to not wake me up unless absolutely necessary and we decided to use the nursery to make sure I sleep. Exclusive breastfeeding is something else to avoid if you have bipolar. Waking up every 1-3 hours to feed the baby is not an option for us! #birth #birthplan #baby #bipolar #bipolartiktok #bipolartok #pregnanttiktok

Lizzie Reezay (LizziesAnswers)

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Region: US

Saturday 06 July 2024 00:07:48 GMT