Psychiatric disorders in pregnancy and the puerperium

Suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in the UK. Recognising risk factors for major postnatal mental illness and distinguishing between normal emotional changes and psychiatric disorder during pregnancy is critical in routine antenatal care. Changes in prescribing practices in psychiatry may have implications for childbearing women. Recent developments in screening and prevention and recommendations arising from the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths will help achieve best practice in caring for mentally ill women during pregnancy and in the early postnatal period. There is a need for such issues to be routinely included in the professional training of obstetric, midwifery, primary care and psychiatric staff.