Management of mental health disorders in pregnancy

Perinatal mental illness is a term that encompasses prevalent psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and they range from mild anxiety or depression to mania and full-blown psychosis. The estimated worldwide prevalence rate for mental illness is 10% in pregnant women and 13% in postpartum women. Management of mental illness poses a significant challenge during pregnancy, not only because of the deleterious effects the illness may cause on the woman and the fetus but also because of the potential risks that treatment carries with it. In this chapter, we review the most common mental health problems presenting during pregnancy and their management, delving into the different classes of psychotropics, their uses and associated risks during pregnancy.