Prescribing in Pregnancy: What Every Psychiatrist Should Know-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The video discussion, "Prescribing in Pregnancy: What Every Psychiatrist Should Know," features a panel of experts, including Dr. Nancy Byatt, Amanda, and Dr. Reed Mergler, addressing the complexities of psychiatric medication management during pregnancy. They aim to debunk myths, cover evidence-based data on medication risks, and provide a framework for discussing risk with patients. Emphasizing the prevalence of perinatal mental health conditions, which affect about 20% of women and contribute significantly to maternal mortality, the speakers urge psychiatrists to confidently treat this population.<br /><br />The discussion covers pharmacokinetic changes in drug absorption and metabolism during pregnancy, highlighting specific medications like SSRIs, lamotrigine, and lithium, and their dosage adjustments during pregnancy. They stress the importance of continuing necessary medications to prevent mental health decompensation, despite common misconceptions about medication safety. Particularly, they caution against using Depakote during pregnancy due to its significant teratogenic risks.<br /><br />They advocate for the continuation of most psychiatric medications during pregnancy, arguing that untreated mental illnesses also pose risks. The speakers discuss the participation of psychiatrists in existing consultation programs and the importance of ongoing education. Throughout the session, several case studies illustrate practical decision-making, focusing on patient outcomes and medical evidence.<br /><br />In conclusion, resources and support systems like access programs and Postpartum Support International are recommended for managing mental health in pregnant and postpartum women, underlining the collective responsibility of healthcare providers to ensure the well-being of both mothers and their children.

Keywords

psychiatric medication management

pregnancy

perinatal mental health

SSRIs

lamotrigine

lithium

Depakote

teratogenic risks

pharmacokinetic changes

consultation programs

Postpartum Support International

maternal mortality

evidence-based data