Good News!!

So my NP and I intially discussed me tapering off my meds before TTC.  Turns out I don't have to!  I am so excited that she gave me this choice!  We can start TTC as soon as we want! 

Here are the answers to the questions I asked.

*How often during my pregnancy will I have to see a psychiatrist?
Should only have to be about once a month, but if I become manic or depressed, I can go more often.

*Will I be allowed to take Tegretol after the first trimester?  Or a different mood stabilizer if needed?
Yes.  If needed, there are certain meds that can be taken after the first 3 months.  And if I really need it for the first three months, there are meds we can try.  

*Once I give birth, will I start seeing my NP again?
Yes.

*Do we have to go through genetics testing before TTC?  (I have some information on this I will post at a later time).
 I can discuss this with my PCP, but she didn't really have advice on this.  She said I could do research on-line.  But, my mother had Bipolar and I have bipolar.  My sister has clinical depression and I have several cousins who have bipolar/depression.  My husband and I have discussed this endlessly--we want to try to have our own biological child first, even if there's a 100% chance he or she would have bipolar.  People don't realize it, but Bipolar is a very manageable mental illness and both my husband, my sister, me and our family know what signs to look for when our child is at the right age where he or she could be diagnosed.  So I will ask my PCP about this, but I don't think we will do genetics testing.