Title

Treatment and Management of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Authoring Organization

Publication Month/Year

May 19, 2023

Last Updated Month/Year

February 19, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

To assess the evidence regarding safety and efficacy of psychiatric medications to treat mental health conditions during pregnancy and lactation. The conditions reviewed include depression, anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, bipolar disorder, and acute psychosis. For information on screening and diagnosis, refer to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Clinical Practice Guideline Number 4, “Screening and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum”. This Clinical Practice Guideline includes recommendations on treatment and management of perinatal mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and acute postpartum psychosis, with a focus on psychopharmacotherapy. Recommendations are classified by strength and evidence quality. Ungraded Good Practice Points are included to provide guidance when a formal recommendation could not be made because of inadequate or nonexistent evidence.

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Counseling, Treatment, Management, Prevention

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D019052 - Depression, Postpartum, D049590 - Postpartum Period

Keywords

depression, postpartum, postpartum depression, Mental health

Source Citation

Treatment and Management of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum: ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 5:. Obstetrics & Gynecology 141(6):p 1262-1288, June 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005202