Many women suffer from depression and most may not know what to do if they become pregnant. I for one wouldn't know what the best course of action would be. Is it safer to continue mood-stabilizing treatments or stop them during pregnancy? This study assessed the danger of return of mood disorders among women with a history of bipolar disorder who continued or discontinued treatment with mood stabilizers during pregnancy. In a prospective observational cohort clinical study, the authors determined the risk of recurrence and time, based on survival analysis, to recurrence of a new episode in 89 pregnant women with bipolar disorder. Eligible subjects were euthymic at conception and continued treatment with mood stabilizers or discontinued treatment close to conception. The overall risk of at least one recurrence was 71%. In women who stopped treatment and continued treatment with mood stabilizers, the risk of recurrence was twice as high. The average time to first recurrence was more than four times shorter and the number of weeks of illness during pregnancy was five times greater. The average recurrence of inactivity was eleven times shorter after immediate and rapid withdrawal compared to constant withdrawal of the mood stabilizer. Most relapses were depressive or variable in 74% of cases, of which 47% occurred during the first trimester. Relapse factors included diagnosis of bipolar II, early onset and additional relapses per year, current illness, use of antidepressants, and use of anticonvulsants versus lithium. In conclusion, withdrawal of a mood stabilizer, especially if stopped abruptly during pregnancy, poses a higher risk for multiple illnesses in women with bipolar disorder, particularly early depression...... half of paper. ..... Discontinuation or even continuation of medications should be done appropriately to alleviate any relapse. Works Cited Gülöksüz , S., Akdeniz, F., Ince, B., & Oral, E. T. (2010). Treatment of bipolar disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi, 21(2), 1-66. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/744031121?accountid=158307]Yonkers, K.A., Wisner, K.L., Stowe, Z., Leibenluft, E., & al, e. (2004). Management of bipolar disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(4), 608-20. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220491083?accountid=158307Freeman, M. P., M. D. (2007). Bipolar disorder and pregnancy: risks revealed. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(12), 1771-3. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220483539?accountid=158307