Obstetric outcomes for women with severe mental illness: 10 years of experience in a tertiary multidisciplinary antenatal clinic.

Purpose: This study aims to describe 10 years of antenatal care and outcomes for women with a severe mental illness (SMI).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 420 completed pregnancy records over the last 10 years (2007-2017). Findings were compared to the Western Australian (WA) pregnancy data.

Psychiatric admission during pregnancy in women with schizophrenia who attended a specialist antenatal clinic.

The mental health and wellbeing of pregnant women with schizophrenia is an area of research interest. We aim to explore this relationship particularly in regards to psychiatric admission rates, timing and their associated contributing factors. A total of 98 pregnancies to women with schizophrenia, who attended a specialist antenatal clinic and delivered from July 2007 to February 2016, were retrospectively examined.

The effects of gestational use of antidepressants and antipsychotics on neonatal outcomes for women with severe mental illness.

Background: Psychotropic medication use occurs in 8% of pregnancies, with rates increasing, and often multiple medications prescribed.

Aims: This study aims to determine if the use of psychotropic medication, in a cohort of women with severe mental illness, increases rates of special care nursery admission and reports differences between antidepressant and antipsychotic medication use either alone or in combination.

Methods: A retrospective database analysis from a cohort with severe mental illness in pregnancy identified 268 pregnant women who were grouped according to medication type.

Characteristics of men accompanying their partners to a specialist antenatal clinic for women with severe mental illness.

Purpose: Partners are often enlisted in the care and management of pregnant women with severe mental illness (SMI); however their needs and capacity to provide support is not yet well understood. We aim to describe the psychosocial characteristics, health behaviours and appraisals of parenthood of men accompanying their partners with SMI to a specialist antenatal clinic.

Methods: A 36-question, study-specific cross sectional survey was completed by men whose partners with SMI were receiving antenatal care at a specialist multidisciplinary clinic over a 12-month period.

Severe mental illness and induction of labour: outcomes for women at a specialist antenatal clinic in Western Australia.

Background: Limited evidence is available around induction of labour (IOL) and obstetric outcomes for pregnant women with severe mental illness (SMI).

Aims: Our study examined obstetric and neonatal outcomes for women attending a specialist childbirth and mental illness (CAMI) antenatal clinic in Perth, Western Australia (WA), who experienced or did not experience IOL.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between December 2007 and May 2012 (n = 222), using patient records and computerised perinatal data collected by the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinical Care Unit.

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with severe mental illness at a specialist antenatal clinic.

Objective: To evaluate the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with severe mental illness (SMI) who attended a specialist multidisciplinary antenatal clinic in Perth, Western Australia.

Design, Setting And Participants: A retrospective case-note audit of outcomes from the Childbirth and Mental Illness Antenatal Clinic (CAMI clinic) at King Edward Memorial Hospital for pregnant women with severe mental illness (SMI), aged 18-41 years, who gave birth between December 2007 and April 2011, and their babies.

Main Outcome Measures: Obstetric and neonatal outcomes for 138 women and newborns from singleton live births.

Pregnancy experiences of Western Australian women attending a specialist childbirth and mental illness antenatal clinic.

Our purpose was to explore the pregnancy experiences of Australian women attending a specialized childbirth and mental illness (CAMI) antenatal clinic. A qualitative exploratory design was selected to give voice to women with severe mental illness receiving antenatal care. Telephone interviews with 41 women, 24 primiparous and 17 multiparous, were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Managing pregnant women with serious mental illness: using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale as a marker of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Objective: To examine the course of depressive and anxiety symptoms using serial measurements of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in pregnant women with serious mental illness (SMI) attending a specialist multi-disciplinary antenatal clinic in Perth, Western Australia.

Method: A retrospective review of case notes was undertaken for 48 Western Australian pregnant women with schizophrenia and related psychoses and bipolar affective disorders who attended the Childbirth and Mental Illness (CAMI) antenatal clinic between December 2007 and November 2009. Of these patients, 27 completed the EPDS at booking (first appointment) and at 32 weeks gestation.

Motherhood and mental illness--part 2--management and medications.

Background: General practitioners see many women who may be on medication for the management of their mental illness before, during, or after a pregnancy.

Objective: This article reviews the current evidence and gives practical advice on management and use of psychotropic medication in women with mental health disorders in pregnancy.

Discussion: The general practitioner is often the first point of contact, and is vital in giving timely and accurate information and encouraging appropriate treatment choices in women with mental illness in our community.

Motherhood and mental illness: Part 1 - toward a general understanding.

Background: Mental illness is common among women of childbearing age, and fertility rates of women with mental illness are close to those of the general population. General practitioners will see most of the women who may be seeking advice and management of their mental illnesses before, during or after a pregnancy.

Objective: This article reviews the current approaches to the management of mental illness in and around pregnancy, and provides practical advice regarding pregnancy related issues in women with mental health disorders.