Bipolar disorder

Contact details for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Specialist Perinatal Mental Health teams are available at the bottom of this page.

If you have bipolar disorder you will need the support of your local Specialist Perinatal Mental Health team to help you throughout your pregnancy and postnatally, even if you are currently well. This is because:

• You are more likely to relapse in pregnancy than at other times
• You may be at extra risk of developing postpartum psychosis

• Not sure of your diagnosis? See your GP - a number of different mental health problems have symptoms that can seem quite similar to bipolar but which need very different treatment so it's really important to get an accurate diagnosis.
• Got a diagnosis? Seek advice from your Specialist Perinatal Mental Health team as soon as possible via referral from your GP, or current mental health team - before you get pregnant if you can get preconceptual counselling but if not as soon possible in your pregnancy.
• Prepare for when your baby arrives by making sure you have support and practical help to ensure you get enough rest.
• Depression, which is common with bipolar disorder, can be a very serious illness - don't be afraid to tell someone if you start thinking that life's not worth living or you are not a good enough mother.

Bipolar used to be known as 'manic depression', because people tend to experience extreme moods - both low (depressed), and high or excited (manic). Some women with bipolar disorder also experience psychosis (see explanation in table below). While we don't know exactly what causes bipolar, it is often inherited. Women with a family history of bipolar are more likely to develop the disorder when they're pregnant or after the baby is born.

Women with a personal history of bipolar of postpartum (puerperal) psychosis are also at greater risk of relapsing at this time. You may need admission to a Parent and Baby Unit, but this will be discussed with you antenatally by your specialist team, and you may get an opportunity while you are pregnant to visit your nearest unit or do a virtual tour of the unit. 

Bipolar disorder can be initially difficult to notice and/or diagnose, but some of the symptoms to look out for are:

• You feel generally down most of the time
• You can't be bothered with things
• You can't concentrate or make decisions
• You don't enjoy life
• You're tired and don't have any energy
• You can't get to sleep and/or you wake up early
• You feel tearful
• You feel irritable and don't want to be with other people
• You feel restless and agitated
• You lose your self-confidence
• You feel worthless
• You feel guilty
• You lose your appetite or have a much greater appetite than usual
• You lose interest in sex
• You think about suicide
• You constantly worry about the baby's health and wellbeing and/or of your own or your family
• You have overwhelming thoughts that you are a bad mother, or that the baby would be better without you

• You feel extremely happy, excited and optimistic
• You feel you don't need to sleep
• You talk quickly and jump from one idea to another
• You are restlessly active
• You make grandiose, unrealistic plans
• You start things but find it really difficult to see things through

• You may have beliefs that you are convinced are true, but which others people recognise are not (delusions). For example:
• Grandiose beliefs (you have special powers or are on a special mission)
• Negative beliefs (you are the worst person ever)
• You may hear voices

If you have bipolar disorder you won't necessarily experience all of these symptoms. If you are experiencing these symptoms yourself or notice them in a woman who is pregnant or recently had a baby seek urgent assistance from your GP, local Specialist Perinatal Mental Health team (see below for details) or out of hours GP.

Medication:- You will need to seek the advice of your GP initially for a referral to a Specialist Perinatal Mental Health team. If you have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and are taking medication then you need to have a review as soon as possible. It is not generally recommended that you take holistic medication without speaking to your GP in the first instance.

The Lighthouse Service supports women, birthing persons and support partners in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin whose mental health has been adversely affected by their birth or maternity experience. They may be experiencing loss, grief or trauma, or have a fear of childbirth.

Local Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Team

Shropshire Community Perinatal Mental Health Team (PMHT) provides specialist assessment and support for women and birthing persons across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, providing both support to those experiencing mental health difficulties, and those at risk of developing mental health difficulties up until a year after baby's birth. The service supports women experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems.

Useful services & resources:

• APP Network leaflet on bipolar
• Tommy's
• Bumps (website for information about medication in pregnancy)
• Baby Buddy is the multi-award winning free app that guides you through pregnancy, birth, parenting and beyond. You can explore the web version of Baby Buddy or download the full version of the app for free on the App Store and Google Play. There is a lot of information including videos about your physical and mental health.

Content adapted from MIND and APP.