Reproductive decisions by women with bipolar disorder after prepregnancy psychiatric consultation.
OBJECTIVE
This study ascertained family planning decisions by women with bipolar disorder after psychiatric consultation.


METHODS
The authors surveyed 116 women with DSM-IV bipolar disorder after specialized consultation about treatment options and risks regarding pregnancy.


RESULTS
Of 70 respondents, 45% had been advised to avoid pregnancy by a health care professional before consultation. After consultation, 63% decided to pursue pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with bipolar disorder often encounter obstacles from health care professionals regarding pregnancy. Individualized comprehensive review of risks and benefits of treatment options during specialized preconception consultation can support thoughtful clinical planning.
Viguera
Adele C
AC
Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. aviguera@partners.org
Cohen
Lee S
LS
Bouffard
Suzanne
S
Whitfield
T Hatch
TH
Baldessarini
Ross J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011570:Psychiatry; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires