Korean J Psychopharmacol.
2013 Jul;24(3):85-101.
Psychopharmacologic Strategies for Women to Plan Pregnancy
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. psyweon@ewha.ac.kr
- 2Department of Psychiatry, Cheil General Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Psychiatry, Gangnam CHA Hospital, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Department of Psychiatry, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Abstract
- Clinicians are faced with major challenges when treating women with psychiatric disorders who are contemplating pregnancy or are pregnant. Recent data suggest that pregnancy has no protective effect on the course of psychiatric disorders and that discontinuation of psychotropic drugs is associated with a significant risk of relapse. This article reviews the major clinical dilemmas in managing women with psychiatric disorders who plan to conceive. Before pregnancy, clinical considerations for the interventions such as family planning, parental education and supporting, and antenatal care are important to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. To treatment decision, clinicians should discuss with the woman the absolute and relative risks associated with not treated mental disorder and psychotropic drugs. Non-pharmacological treatment should be considered also. Treatment strategies, for each of the women with psychiatric disorders who plan to conceive are discussed.
