Ruminative worrying during pregnancy: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Most women worry to some extent during pregnancy about exposure to agents that might harm their babies.


METHODS
We describe three women who worried excessively throughout pregnancy about harming their babies because of exposure to agents including, but not limited to, psychotropic drugs. These women were extremely resistant to reassurances that their babies would not be adversely affected, and it is likely there are more women in the community who fit this profile. We have described a number of management strategies that we found effective in caring for these women during pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
A collaborative effort between caregivers in psychiatry and obstetrics, as well as other health professionals, is required to provide management for these women during pregnancy.
Einarson
Adrienne
A
The Motherisk Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON.
Burt
Vivien K
VK
The Women's Life Center of The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behaviour, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles CA.
Patroi
Delia
D
Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, Hoffman Estates IL.
Young
Bev
B
Clinical Director, Perinatal Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Hospital Toronto ON.
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000523:psychology*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents