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Mental disorder in pregnancy and the early postpartum
Author(s) -
Cantwell R.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/anae.15424
Subject(s) - medicine , maternity care , pregnancy , psychiatry , mental health , mental illness , stigma (botany) , nursing , genetics , biology
Perinatal mental illness is common, affecting up to 20% of women, but remains under‐recognised and under‐diagnosed. It may have adverse effects on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, and mental disorder remains one of the leading causes of maternal death in the UK. Women with mental ill health face difficult decisions in balancing risks and benefits of treatment. Stigma related to mental disorder may lead to non‐engagement with maternity care. Some disorders bring specific challenges for anaesthetists working in maternity settings and it is vital that anaesthetists have knowledge of these disorders so they may offer care which is sensitive and appropriate.