Pregnancy in women with psychotic disorders

Objectives

To review the psychiatric and obstetric complications of pregnancy in women with psychotic disorders and discuss implications for prevention and treatment of these conditions.

Design

Narrative review.

Results

Many women with psychotic disorders have children but their pregnancies are at an increased risk of obstetric complications, stillbirths and neonatal deaths, and psychiatric complications. Women with a history of mood disorders (affective psychoses) are at high risk of postpartum relapse. A significant proportion of mothers with psychotic disorders have parenting difficulties and lose custody of their infant.

Conclusions

Close liaison between all health professionals during pregnancy and postpartum is essential for optimal management of these high-risk pregnancies.