Mental Illness and Pregnancy

Prenatal depression may often be overlooked. Prenatal depression, anxiety, and stress are most frequently seen in the third trimester of pregnancy (Parcells, 2010).

 Women with depression are less likely to seek treatment than while not pregnant. Patients with depression may experience a depressed mood, loss of interest in most activities, insomnia or hypersomnia, change in appetite, agitation, low energy, poor concentration, guilt, or recurrent thoughts of death  (APA, 2013).  

 Mild to moderate depression is diagnosed with five or six symptoms, and severe depression is diagnosed with seven to nine symptoms. Pregnancy can make some of the symptoms difficult to identify because appetite or sleep may be affected by pregnancy.

Anxiety may be observed with or without depression. Anxiety is the most common issue. People with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear. Panic attacks are repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes. These feelings of anxiety and panic can interfere with daily activities and are difficult to control (Mayo Clinic, 2018).

Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression. Rates of postpartum relapse in women with bipolar disorder range from 32 to 67 percent. Perinatal episodes of the disorder tend to be depressive (UpToDate, 2019).

There are risks to the mother and fetus for a woman who experiences depression and does not receive treatment. Suicide is a risk. Poor appetite can lead to poor nutrition, poor weight gain, weight loss, or cognitive impairment. Poor nutrition can lead to poor prenatal care and poor fetal outcomes. Psychosis, catatonia, and substance abuse may be associated with depression.

Anxiety and stress during pregnancy are associated with spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, and delivery complications, although a direct causal relationship has not been established (Mayo Clinic, 2018).

Patients with bipolar disorder are at risk for suicidal or homicidal ideation, aggressive behavior, psychotic features, poor judgment, and impaired social functioning. Bipolar is a serious disorder that can cause harm to the mother or fetus; this requires close supervision and possible hospitalization (UpToDate, 2019).

Late in pregnancy, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been associated with transient neonatal complications. The potential risks associated with SSRI use must be weighed against the risk of relapse if treatment is discontinued. During pregnancy, treatment with SSRIs should be individualized and should ideally be discussed before pregnancy. Paroxetine (Paxil®) should be avoided by pregnant women and women who plan to become pregnant. If a woman gets pregnant while on Paxil®, fetal echocardiography should be considered. Abrupt discontinuation of this drug can be associated with withdrawal symptoms and a high rate of relapse, so a treatment plan should be followed  (ACOG, 2008). The provider should optimize dosage, and multiple or different medications may be needed. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be used for depression that does not respond to medication during pregnancy.

The use of benzodiazepines in women with anxiety disorders does not carry significant teratogenic risk, although long-term use can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn (ACOG, 2008). Benzodiazepines should not be used for longer than two weeks near term. Cognitive therapy may be useful.

The use of lithium during pregnancy has been associated with congenital cardiac malformations, fetal and neonatal cardiac arrhythmias, hypoglycemia, premature delivery, and other adverse outcomes. Long-term consequences have not been found. The decision to discontinue lithium therapy during pregnancy because of fetal risks should be weighed against the maternal risks of the illness. The physiologic changes of pregnancy may affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of lithium, and close monitoring is recommended. Some antiepileptic drugs are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, including valproic acid (Depakene®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), and lamotrigine (Lamictal®). Depakene® and Tegretol® have been shown to cause birth defects. Lamictal® is generally considered safe (ACOG, 2008).

Adverse outcomes in women with schizophrenia include preterm delivery, low birth weight, placental abnormalities, increased rates of congenital malformation, and a higher incidence of postnatal death. If left untreated during pregnancy, schizophrenia can have devastating effects. Atypical antipsychotics are the first-line therapy for psychotic disorders because these drugs are better tolerated and may be more effective in managing the negative symptoms of schizophrenia (ACOG, 2008).

Eating disorders during pregnancy can cause serious complications for the mother, including poor nutrition, dehydration, cardiac irregularities, gestational diabetes, severe depression during pregnancy, premature birth, labor complications, difficulties in nursing, and postpartum depression. The fetus also has serious risks, including poor development, premature birth, low birth weight, respiratory distress, feeding difficulties, and other perinatal complications  (NEDA, 2018).  It may be difficult for these women to get pregnant. These women must see a specialist to help manage an eating disorder during pregnancy.

Postpartum depression and psychosis are important in nursing when caring for postpartum moms. This depression and psychosis are separate topics that will not be discussed in the activity.