Hi! If any of you have trolled the BFP announcements, pregnancy tests, or pregnancy 1st trimester boards then you probably know I got my last week. I've been plastering it everywhere because I'm TOO happy! I am 5 weeks, 1 day today.

I also have bipolar disorder....severe enough to absolutely need medication otherwise I begin to go into a horrible depression and will cut myself or try to kill myself. I can't control my emotions- and living day to day is a mental roller-coaster for me.

This is where marijuana comes in. I have been smoking since being diagnosed bipolar at 17 as I learned it is the ONLY thing that helps. I have taken the proper pills for bipolar disorder before...and lost my first pregnancy because of it. In fact, I learned that the medications they had me on (and the other ones I took right before we decided to TTC) were considered some of the most dangerous meds for baby- severe mental problems and physical deformities are just the tip of the iceberg.

I've done research on marijuana, and I know quite a few who smoked during their pregnancy. The worst thing that has ever happened to a marijuana baby- that I've come across- is asthma. In most of those cases (and all the cases of asthma babies that I know) were of mothers who smoked ciggs and marijuana.

I have stopped ciggs completely...marijuana? Not so much. I have cut back to half of my normal intake, but I am afraid to stop. I feel bad for exposing to it, but at the same time the risk is even greater if I stop because of all my mood swings and all the stress I would be under.

I told the nurse who will be doing my ultrasound and she didn't seem to concerned...she actually agreed that it would probably be better than just letting my emotions run rampant.

Am I wrong? I mean...if I smoke, I'm POTENTIALLY harming baby...but without any medication (pills are completely off limits....ALL bipolar medication has some serious effects on fetuses) I could stress out and miscarry. I just feel so judged when people that are close to me know that I continue to smoke. I don't do it because I want to anymore (that stopped about 4 years ago), I do it because I have to...because if I don't I will try to harm myself or someone else.

What do you ladies think?

I know people who suffer from bipolar and I do understand where your coming from. As long as your doctor knows that it is something you have to do and doesn't think it's too much of a risk, I say go for it. I personally think stress and mental illness can be more hazardous to your baby than a little pot.

do you smoke it neat without cigarette mixed in? im no expert but would imaging the cigarette would be more harmful than the marijuana. is there any research on marijuana use during pregnancy?

my uncle was schizophrenic and that was blamed on marijuana abuse so i know it can cause mental illness but not sure if that is the case on an unborn baby or only on personal usage.

Stress doesn't cause miscarriages.

I have suffered with Mental health issues in the past but I feel smoking pot while pregnant is reckless.

It crosses the placenta and therefore your baby will feel the effects of it.

I wouldn't and I think you will find a lot of Mums on here will agree with me.

I actually just got in this debate with a stoner friend of mine who is TTC and said she probably would not quit weed once she fell pregnant. She told me about a study she found that was done in Jamaica and followed thousands of pregnant women who regularly smoke pot as part of their tradition and they followed their kids up until school age. They found that none of the kids had any problems whatsoever. Though I argued with her, that that is only 1 study and you can not go by that when there are thousands of other studies showing it leads to learning disabilities and asthma, for you I would say that it probably is not a big deal. If it is for medical purposes I see nothing wrong with it, I just hated that she has no need for it but is just selfish and doesn't want to quit.
I think that if it helps your mental state as much as you say it does then by all means smoke away, but be quite conservative with it. Don't over do it

The place I went to is just a testing and ultrasound facility- they also cover abortions (ick!) and adoptions....they mostly see women who don't want their baby (I never understood that...even at 17 I wanted my baby). It isn't MEANT to be like that, it just kinda is...they have all this great information for mothers without insurance, how to get medicaid/famis, what OBGYNs accept said medicaid/famis, where to enroll for birthing classes, various other classes (parenting, life skills, job skills, relationships, ect). Also has a lot of information on WIC and even will give you 3 sets of maternity clothes! I first met with a counselor, who told me that is was such a nice change of pace to see a couple who want their baby because most of the time all she ever talks about is abortion and adoption- two things we NEVER discussed!

I told her about my use, and she asked me if I had done research on it (I was a TTCer, so I had a lot of knowledge she wasn't prepared for me to have LOL) and I told her yes. She told me that if I really felt strongly about it and knew all the facts, that she would have no problem....I don't know if you know this but bipolar disorder is considered a serious medical/mental condition.

Then I told the nurse who is going to do my ultrasound. I explained my situation, and my bipolar disorder, and she told me the same thing. If I had done my research and still felt comfortable about it and still felt it was necessary...go ahead.

After the first ultrasound comes the picking of the OBGYN, and yes, I'm going to tell him/her, too. I really feel strongly about this...but like I said, guilty as well.

Yes stress itself usually won't, however if you are suffering from mental illness and because of it can not take proper care of yourself it can cause major problems. You may not eat properly ( or at all), you may injure yourself severely, etc. I don't think she is talking about a simple case of stress. I myself have had a lot of problems with mental illness in the past (not right now while I am pregnant) and I can see where she is coming from

I wouldnt have thought that marijuana was particularly helpful if you are bipolar? Isnt it a depressant??

I guess you need to ask yourself what you will do when baby is here even if you smoke when pregnant. Getting stoned when you have a newborn to look after isnt something I would recommend but if you cant stop when pregnant how will you stop when you have a child to take care of?? x

I completely quit tobacco. I can't stand the smell now, anyways. Its just the marijuana.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder before I ever started smoking weed. I was born with it- I inherited it from my Dad. There is about a 20-30 percent chance it will be passed on to solely because of that.

If you are honest with your healthcare providers and they agree it is the safest alternative, knowing your history, then so be it. I know you are in the US which has a lot of medical marijuana restrictions but is it possible to consult with a doctor for marijuana from a proper source (ie. medical grade) and that can be taken without inhaling.

I suspect what is truly upsetting people is that if you must consume drugs in order to prevent yourself from cutting/being suicidal, they are wondering how you are supposed to care for a child.