An obstetrician's guide to perinatal psychiatry

Between 15 and 20% of pregnant women will have mental health difficulties so obstetricians need to be familiar with these conditions. Using case vignettes to illustrate specific examples, this article will review the epidemiology, the obstetrician's role, the psychiatrist's role and the basics of managing serious mental illnesses in pregnancy and post-partum including post-partum psychosis. Common psychotropic medications used in pregnancy and their indications will be considered, as well as the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act.