2015 Volume 27 Issue 3 Pages 206-211
To identify and manage problems relating to pregnant women with psychiatric disorders, we reviewed the clinical records of 30 pregnant women who gave birth at our hospital between January 2011 and October 2014. The most common major psychiatric disorder was depression (10 cases), followed by 5 cases each of panic disorder and schizophrenia. Of 30 cases, 20 were in need of medication. Most births resulted in a good outcome, with only 2 cases of late preterm delivery and 4 cases of controlled gestational diabetes mellitus. There were no malformations and only one baby was diagnosed with neonatal poor adaptation syndrome, which resolved without treatment. Their psychiatric disorders were generally stable, suggesting that where a psychiatric disorder is well managed, perinatal outcome will largely turn out well. However, in many cases there were problems in child rearing. Mothers were offered support, including pre-pregnancy counseling, counseling provided by medical social workers to provide information about social support, and counseling by a clinical psychotherapist. Provision of perinatal care for women with psychiatric disorders, particularly regarding support with child rearing, requires the cooperation of multiple clinical professionals. In future, it will be necessary that greater cooperation among regional healthcare services during long-term follow up of such women.
