The treatment of psychiatric disorders in pregnancy and the puerperium

Abstract

Although few psychotropic drugs are known to be teratogenic or to have adverse effects on the developing fetus or neonate, no psychotropic drug is of proven safety. It is therefore very important that psychotropic medication should not be prescribed lightly during pregnancy or lactation and that such drugs should be prescribed only where there are positive indications for their use. Close collaboration between obstetrician and psychiatrist is recommended before treatment of a mental illness with psychotropic medication. Breast feeding should not routinely be suspended in mothers who require psychotropic medication. There is an adequate range of psychotropic drugs available to safely treat the pregnant or lactating woman who is mentally ill.