The management of bipolar disorder during and after pregnancy

Abstract

This chapter will discuss the issues of psychiatric management of bipolar disorder (BD) both during and after pregnancy. The risks and benefits of medication use during pregnancy will be discussed along with the risks of discontinuation of medications for pregnancy. Pharmacological treatments will be discussed in detail. The postpartum time period and its risks for depression, mania, and psychosis will be described, and recommendations for management during this critical time period will be detailed. Medication use during breastfeeding will also be discussed.