title: Pregnancy and Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Multidisciplinary Approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To scrutinize a series of pregnant women treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at a tertiary treatment center and combine these data with a literature review to refine the treatment guidelines for ECT during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of mentally ill pregnant patients treated with ECT since the establishment of a formal women's mental health program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 8 pregnant women treated with ECT were identified from January 2012 to August 2014. Information was extracted from the medical records of a total of 30 ECT treatments across this group. Subjects received an average of 3.75 ECT treatments (range, 1-7). All women were diagnosed as having a mood disorder (either unipolar or bipolar), and 5 of the 8 women had suicidal ideation. The treatment team for ECT was consistent across all treatments. Two women experienced significant complications after the initial treatment: 1) an acute episode of complete heart block; and 2) acute onset of mania after ECT. Obstetrical complications included 2 women with preterm delivery-one secondary to premature rupture of membranes. No other complications or adverse outcomes were recorded. The 5 women with suicidal ideation had symptom resolution, and significant symptom improvement was noted in 6 of the 8 women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electroconvulsive therapy is a safe and effective treatment during pregnancy and of particular benefit in the acute treatment of suicidal ideation.
authors.affiliation: From the *Departments of Psychiatry, †Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‡Anesthesiology, and §Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR.
authors.forename: Shona L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ray-Griffith
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Coker
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rabie
authors.forename: Lou Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Eads
authors.forename: Kimberly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Golden
authors.forename: Zachary N
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Stowe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006327:Heart Block / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D016896:Treatment Outcome