[Compulsory care for a mental incompetent pregnant woman: a case-report].

Abstract

The compulsory Mental Healthcare Act (Dutch: Wvggz) provides, in exceptional cases, a legal framework for the implementation of psychiatric and somatic treatment without the patients consent. We describe a pregnant patient with a psychotic disorder who was compulsorily admitted to a psychiatric ward and treated with antipsychotic medication. She was unable to give informed consent regarding obstetric care. The care authorization did provide a legal framework for compulsory obstetric care to prevent serious harm for herself and/or her unborn child. A good relationship of trust, frequent counseling and the presence of an acquaintance ensured that the patient agreed with a caesarean section when this became necessary. This case describes how the Wvggz can provide psychiatric and obstetric care for a pregnant patient with a severe psychiatric disorder as well as the importance of continuing to look for options for voluntary care in a multidisciplinary manner.