Psychiatric disorders in pregnancy and postpartum

Although it is rare for psychiatric disorders to first manifest themselves during pregnancy, severe depression, mania, psychoses, and anxiety and obse ssive-compulsive disorders can occur during pregnancy. Once its potential b enefits and risks are weighed, psycho-pharmacotherapy in pregnancy does rep resent a choice. Postpartum depressions are relatively frequent (10-15%), but very often the y are not diagnosed and even more frequently not adequately treated. To avo id consequences for mother-child bonding, the familial situation, and the p sychic health of the affected women, an early diagnosis and treatment by a specialist is recommended. Whether a psychotherapeutic or psychopharmacolog ical treatment is necessary depends on the dominating psychopathology, It h as to be considered whether the mother is breast-feeding. The altogether rare postpartum psychoses are always an indication for inpat ient psychiatric treatment. The prevention of ongoing psychic problems is o ne of the issues of obstetrics a nd midwives in cases of still births and t raumatically experienced deliveries.