Looking after your mental health in pregnancy is just as important as caring for your physical health. For some people, this includes taking medication. It鈥檚 okay to need this support 鈥� your healthcare professional can help you find the safest and most effective plan for you and your baby.
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Antipsychotic Medication and Pregnancy Related Risks
These may include medications such as olanzapine or quetiapine, usually prescribed by specialist mental health teams.
If you are taking antipsychotic medication, please do not stop these medications suddenly. Talk to your GP or mental health team.
Antipsychotic medication can sometimes lead to weight gain and higher blood sugar levels. To help monitor this, you may be offered an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and given advice on healthy eating.
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Things to Consider After Birth
If you stopped taking your medication during pregnancy, you might want to start it again after your baby is born to help reduce the chance of relapse. Talk to your healthcare professional to find the best plan for you.
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Breastfeeding
Most antipsychotics are safe in breastfeeding.
Your feeding choices can be discussed with your midwife, specialist pharmacist and mental health team.
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The following medicines are known as mood stabilisers:
Lamotrigine
Also used for epilepsy
High-dose folic acid (5mg/day) is recommended pre-conception and during first trimester.听
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Lithium
If you are taking lithium, you should be offered a detailed scan at 20 weeks of pregnancy. This is because lithium can slightly increase the risk of heart problems in the baby if taken early in pregnancy.
Your lithium levels will need to be monitored throughout your pregnancy, and your dose may need to be adjusted.
The midwife caring for you will inform the neonatologist (a doctor who looks after newborn babies) that you have taken lithium in pregnancy. The doctor caring for your baby will talk to you about their care and monitor your baby鈥檚 lithium levels.
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Sodium Valproate
Not safe in pregnancy unless no alternative.
Linked to birth defects and developmental problems.
Do not stop suddenly 鈥� contact your midwife or GP urgently.
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Things To consider After Birth
Continuing mood stabilisers are often advised to prevent you from becoming unwell.
You will be advised to stay in hospital after birth for baby observations.听 The length of time is dependent on the medication that you are taking.
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Breastfeeding
Most mood stabilisers are safe听 for breastfeeding mothers.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Association of Psychopharmacology recommend not to breastfeed whilst taking lithium.
Discuss options with your doctor or midwife.
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Antidepressants are often used to treat depression or anxiety in pregnancy.
Most used are:
Always speak to your GP or mental health team before making changes.
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Risks Of Taking Antidepressant Medication in Pregnancy
Taking SSRIs in late pregnancy may slightly raise risk of newborn breathing issues called PPHN but the risk remains low.
May increase bleeding risk after birth.
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Things To consider After Birth
1 in 3 babies may have mild withdrawal (e.g. jitteriness, restlessness, poor feeding.)
Symptoms usually resolve without treatment.
You will be advised to stay in hospital after birth for baby observations.
If birthing at home, your midwife will observe your baby.
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Breastfeeding
Most SSRIs and SNRIs are considered safe.
Sertraline is preferred where suitable.
If you take multiple medications, consult your pharmacist or doctor.
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Additional Ways to Stay Well
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Nurturing Your Baby After Birth
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Your well-being is a priority and we鈥檙e here to help
Specialist perinatal mental health midwife 鈥� sft.pimhteam@nhs.net
Please be aware that this email is not accessed 7 days a week so there will be a delay in answering your message. If your enquiry is of a more urgent nature please contact your Mental health Specialist Service, your GP or refer to the out of hours services at the end of this leaflet. The Perinatal Mental Health midwife is available from 12 weeks' gestation up until 28 days postnatal.
Avon & Wiltshire Specialist Community Perinatal Mental Health Service 鈥� 01249 767851.
Dorset Specialist Community Perinatal Mental Health Service 鈥� 01202 584329.
Hampshire Specialist Community Perinatal Mental Health Service 鈥� 02382 313000.
Your GP & Midwife.
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Talking Therapies
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Websites
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Out of hours
Mental health triage service can be accessed by calling 111 or online at www.111.nhs.uk
听 Call 116 123 for free
Text SHOUT to 85258. More information is available on the website.
Salisbury Hospital 鈥� Labour Ward 鈥� Lines open 24/7 01722 425 183 or 01722 425 188
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Note. This document uses the term women throughout, but this term should be taken to also include people who do not identify as women but who are pregnant, in labour and in the postnatal period.
Our Maternity Information Leaflets for parents and service users are reviewed regularly by parents and service users. If you have any comments/feedback about this leaflet or are interested in looking at future leaflets, please contact our Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP)听
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Our staff at SA国际传媒 Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
