I'm 3 months pregnant. My husband and I both have bipolar disorder, what are the chances that our baby will be bipolar??

I can direct you to more info on bipolar & personal perspective on living with the disorder myself (I'm a mom of 2- 1child is bipolar and the other isn't)

Basically, I don't want you to focus on the odds, but rather, make sure to speak with your Psychiatrist about the medications you currently are taking. They may want to alter your meds during pregnancy. Stick with a good therapist & let them know your concerns.

Take Care

The only time to think about odds is BEFORE getting pregnant. Now that you are pregnant, he either is or he isn't. Odds are meaningless.

How would knowing the chances help?

This young woman is concerned with preparing for the future. It seems as though you aren't asking the right question... It's not 'how' but 'why'. Knowing the odds isn't going to change the result, so why ask?

She is simply attempting to engage with someone who may be able to relate to her situation overall.

I do appreciate your vast area of expertise. I believe you interpreted the question too literally.

Okay, I appreciate the reason, I feel that most people would ask "I'm pregnant and it's possible my child will have bipolar, is there anybody else who can relate and give tips?" If that's what they were after.

I do have an interest in helping, which is why I answered the posed question truthfully, that knowing the chances will not help her.

The only time to think about odds is BEFORE getting pregnant. Now that you are pregnant, he either is or he isnt. Odds are meaningless.

Had to spread it Cap, but I do agree with you. Knowing the odds is only likely to cause unnecessary stress and lead to complications during the pregnancy especially because of the OP's medical background. Studies related to Bipolar (I or II) have often competed on the nature-nurture front, so even if you were to know the odds it ould still have an adverse effect and bring about a self-fulfulling prophecy. Just enjoy your pregnancy as much as you can and pray for a healthy baby.
Good Luck!

If both your husband and you have a recesive gene in the disease its 50% likely to be passed on to your child but if one or both of you have a domonant gene than it is most likely to be passed on to your child, go to a doctor and find this info. *good luck with your newborn*

if both your husband and you have a recesive gene in the desease its 50% likely to be passed on to your child but if one or both of you have a domonant gene than it is most likely to be passed on to your child, go to a doctor and find this info. *good luck with your newborn*

Bipolar is not a disease that I s passed on to offspring via one single gene. Like I said earlier, there is on going debate about the causes of this psychiatric condition that researchers are arguing that it could be a result of many genes and many environmental factors. If you have done your research, you would know that it is almost impossible to give an accurate 'odds' as to whether the OP's child would be bipolar as even genetic studies are full of flaws. For example, there is a higher chance that if one identical twin has bipolar, the other would get it but the odds are less with non-identical twins. These findings have often been criticised in the sense that identical twins are much more likelly to share everything (environment and all) than non-identicals I could keep going but this would become a lecture. Bottom line is, go and do your research before you start disagreeing with those who are trying to help. The OP is pregnant, the last thing she needs is to be stressed that there will be something wrong with here child, if you know anything about pregnancy you would know that this isn't good for mother or baby.

^^^ argh most definitely meant to disagree with lormily13- sorry everyone.

To the OP things like bipolar disorder are as much luck as genetics or anything else. Best not to worry about things you cannot effect.

lormily13 disagrees: didn't your mother ever teach you "speek nice or dont speek at all*

this is coming from the person who calls people "retarded" learn how to use the Disagree option before throwing it around.

I do not think anyone here can give you the exact answer to this question. Your best be is to consult your doctor about it. I think it is wise for you to know the probability of your child having this before it is born so that you can do a little research on you own and find out how to best accommodate your child(if he/she winds up having it). Good luck.