Key priorities for implementation

The following recommendations have been identified as priorities for implementation. See the recommendations section for the full list of recommendations.

Considerations for women of childbearing potential

  • Discuss with all women of childbearing potential who have a new, existing or past mental health problem:

    • the use of contraception and any plans for a pregnancy

    • how pregnancy and childbirth might affect a mental health problem, including the risk of relapse

    • how a mental health problem and its treatment might affect the woman, the fetus and baby

    • how a mental health problem and its treatment might affect parenting. [2014]

  • Do not offer valproate for acute or long‑term treatment of a mental health problem in women or girls of childbearing potential (including young girls who are likely to need treatment into their childbearing years). See the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls. [amended 2020]

Principles of care in pregnancy and the postnatal period

Coordinated care

  • Develop an integrated care plan for a woman with a mental health problem in pregnancy and the postnatal period that sets out:

    • the care and treatment for the mental health problem

    • the roles of all healthcare professionals, including who is responsible for:

      • coordinating the integrated care plan

      • the schedule of monitoring

      • providing the interventions and agreeing the outcomes with the woman. [2014]

Treatment decisions, advice and monitoring for women who are planning a pregnancy, pregnant or in the postnatal period

Information and advice

  • Mental health professionals providing detailed advice about the possible risks of mental health problems or the benefits and harms of treatment in pregnancy and the postnatal period should include discussion of the following, depending on individual circumstances:

    • the uncertainty about the benefits, risks and harms of treatments for mental health problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period

    • the likely benefits of each treatment, taking into account the severity of the mental health problem

    • the woman's response to any previous treatment

    • the background risk of harm to the woman and the fetus or baby associated with the mental health problem and the risk to mental health and parenting associated with no treatment

    • the possibility of the sudden onset of symptoms of mental health problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period, particularly in the first few weeks after childbirth (for example, in bipolar disorder)

    • the risks or harms to the woman and the fetus or baby associated with each treatment option

    • the need for prompt treatment because of the potential effect of an untreated mental health problem on the fetus or baby

    • the risk or harms to the woman and the fetus or baby associated with stopping or changing a treatment. [2014]

Starting, using and stopping treatment

  • Before starting any treatment in pregnancy and the postnatal period, discuss with the woman the higher threshold for pharmacological interventions arising from the changing risk‑benefit ratio for psychotropic medication at this time and the likely benefits of a psychological intervention. [2014]

  • If a pregnant woman has taken psychotropic medication with known teratogenic risk at any time in the first trimester:

    • confirm the pregnancy as soon as possible

    • explain that stopping or switching the medication after pregnancy is confirmed may not remove the risk of fetal malformations

    • offer screening for fetal abnormalities and counselling about continuing the pregnancy

    • explain the need for additional monitoring and the risks to the fetus if she continues to take the medication.

      Seek advice from a specialist if there is uncertainty about the risks associated with specific drugs. [2014]

TCAs, SSRIs, (S)NRIs

  • When choosing a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or (serotonin‑) noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor [(S)NRI], take into account:

Recognising mental health problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period and referral

  • At a woman's first contact with primary care or her booking visit, and during the early postnatal period, consider asking the following depression identification questions as part of a general discussion about a woman's mental health and wellbeing:

    • During the past month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless?

    • During the past month, have you often been bothered by having little interest or pleasure in doing things?

      Also consider asking about anxiety using the 2‑item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD‑2):

    • Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by feeling nervous, anxious or on edge?

    • Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by not being able to stop or control worrying?

      For questions about anxiety: an answer of 'not at all' scores 0; 'several days' scores 1; 'more than half the days' scores 2; 'nearly every day' scores 3. [2014]

Providing interventions in pregnancy and the postnatal period

  • All healthcare professionals providing assessment and interventions for mental health problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period should understand the variations in their presentation and course at these times, how these variations affect treatment, and the context in which they are assessed and treated (for example, maternity services, health visiting and mental health services). [2014]

Considerations for women and their babies in the postnatal period

Traumatic birth, stillbirth and miscarriage

  • Discuss with a woman whose baby is stillborn or dies soon after birth, and her partner and family, the option of 1 or more of the following:

    • seeing a photograph of the baby

    • having mementos of the baby

    • seeing the baby

    • holding the baby.

      This should be facilitated by an experienced practitioner and the woman and her partner and family should be offered a follow‑up appointment in primary or secondary care. If it is known that the baby has died in utero, this discussion should take place before the delivery, and continue after delivery if needed. [2014]

The organisation of services

  • Clinical networks should be established for perinatal mental health services, managed by a coordinating board of healthcare professionals, commissioners, managers, and service users and carers. These networks should provide:

    • a specialist multidisciplinary perinatal service in each locality, which provides direct services, consultation and advice to maternity services, other mental health services and community services; in areas of high morbidity these services may be provided by separate specialist perinatal teams

    • access to specialist expert advice on the risks and benefits of psychotropic medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding

    • clear referral and management protocols for services across all levels of the existing stepped‑care frameworks for mental health problems, to ensure effective transfer of information and continuity of care

    • pathways of care for service users, with defined roles and competencies for all professional groups involved. [2007]

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)