I have psychosis and I want to be a mother
Psychotic disorders typically first appear between the ages of 15 and 30, a crucial stage of life for personal, familial, and educational development. In women, the onset of psychosis is even slightly later than in men, usually occurring between 25 and 35, which coincides with women's peak fertility, although there is no single ideal age for motherhood.
Many women who have experienced a psychotic episode long to be mothers and often have many doubts. The perinatal period (between the start of pregnancy and up to one year postpartum) is a stage in a woman's life cycle of heightened vulnerability to the onset or relapse of any mental disorder, including psychotic disorders.
Therefore, it is especially important that your psychiatrist monitor you more closely during this stage, in order to detect any warning signs and adjust your medication accordingly . The risks to the mother, such as the increased likelihood of relapse and complications of the disorder, and to the fetus must be carefully considered, and a comprehensive follow-up plan and appropriate treatment plan can be agreed upon.
Next, we will try to answer some of the questions that may arise during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
Can women with psychosis be mothers?
Yes, of course women with psychosis can be mothers. Ideally, they should be able to plan their pregnancy and develop a care plan that includes follow-up by mental health and obstetric professionals, especially when there is a medication regimen that needs to be continued during pregnancy.
If you want to become a mother, it is important that you seek help from your environment or ask for professional help to organize the care you will need during pregnancy and with the birth of the baby.
Ideally, one would be able to plan the pregnancy and create a care plan. especially when there is drug treatment
Some recommendations if I want to get pregnant:
- Wait a minimum of six months of stability before planning a pregnancy.
- Contact your healthcare professional (gynecology, family medicine, psychiatry).
- Do not stop taking medication on your own.
- Increase healthy hygiene habits (proper diet, avoid tobacco or any toxic substance, perform gentle physical activity).
- If possible, involve your partner and other family members in the treatment planning.
- Try to maintain your spaces for rest and nighttime sleep.
- Attend pregnancy and postpartum groups that your midwife may refer you to.
What happens if I'm recovering from psychosis and I become pregnant?
Don't worry, even if you have the perception that the pregnancies of the women around you are planned and expected, studies confirm that 4 out of 10 pregnancies have not been planned.
Furthermore, there is a myth that pregnancy is a vital period of well-being and psychological protection, but most of the time this is not the case, and it is normal to have many doubts and anxiety at the beginning of pregnancy, and to find it difficult to adapt to this new situation.
It is important to have the support of family, friends, and your partner, so they can accompany and help you during this stage.
It is highly recommended that you consult with your healthcare provider to adjust your monitoring (more frequent visits are recommended during pregnancy) and to review your current treatment. It is also important to have the support of family, friends, and your partner to accompany and help you during this time.
The necessary gender perspective on psychosis
Can it increase the risk of relapses and complications during pregnancy?
Yes, becoming a mother is one of life's most significant life events, involving major physiological, hormonal, cognitive, and social changes , and is a period of heightened vulnerability to mental health disorders. This applies not only to pregnancy itself, but also to the postpartum period, which extends for at least a year after childbirth.
The perinatal period , therefore, is a period of risk for the appearance of mental disorders, including psychosis, for worsening of symptoms (or for a worse ability to cope with them) and for relapse.
Therefore, it is very important to be able to offer attention to the emotional aspects that appear and to carry out good follow-up during the perinatal period with the team of mental health professionals and with the obstetrics team.
Perinatal period and mental health: this is something that is being discussed
Is there a higher risk of having a complicated delivery if you have a psychotic disorder?
The literature indicates that there are more complications in women and newborns of women with schizophrenia , often attributable to adverse social conditions that sometimes accompany psychosis. Some of these conditions may include social circumstances, tobacco or substance use, gender-based violence, or nutritional deficiencies.
Pregnant women with schizophrenia have a higher risk of neonatal complications, such as premature birth, low birth weight, or intrauterine growth restriction. To reduce this risk, it is very important to maintain good self-care habits (diet, exercise, adequate sleep), receive proper prenatal care, and seek medical advice if your mental health deteriorates.
What should I do if I'm taking psychotropic medication and I want to get pregnant?
If you are taking any psychotropic medication and are considering getting pregnant, it is highly recommended that you have a preconception visit with your doctor or psychiatrist.
During this visit, we will explore current and past treatment, the stability time of the current disorder, previous treatments, as well as family history and measures to ensure appropriate follow-up throughout the pregnancy, whether or not there are changes in treatment.
If I am pregnant, do I have to stop my medication?
No, in fact, discontinuation of antipsychotic medication is associated with relapses and hospitalizations in women with psychotic disorders.
When a woman who has or has had a mental disorder and who takes psychotropic drugs becomes pregnant, we must take into account that the medication will not negatively affect the pregnancy or the fetus, but, on the other hand, we must ensure the maximum mental stability of the mother, because if she is affected it can also negatively affect the pregnancy and the fetus.
It is important to confirm with your healthcare professional that the type of medication you are taking is appropriate, as well as the dosage.
Many medications used to treat depression or anxiety, and even some antipsychotics, can be continued during pregnancy . However, it's essential to confirm with your healthcare provider that the medication you're taking is appropriate and that the dosage is the lowest effective dose—one that works without harming the pregnancy or the baby.
It is very important that, in the case of an unplanned pregnancy, you do not abruptly stop taking psychotropic medication to avoid harming the fetus. We recommend that you consult with your healthcare professional to ensure safe treatment for both you and your baby.
The pharmacological treatment of psychosis
Are antipsychotic drugs safe during pregnancy?
Since the introduction of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), their prescription has increased significantly in women with mental health disorders, and a growing number of pregnant women are being exposed to them. However, the available information regarding the safety of these drugs in pregnant women is still limited, and an individualized assessment is necessary for each woman and each case.
Do I have to stop taking my medication while breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding and the ability to bond more easily with your baby have very positive aspects for your mental health. There are helpful classifications to consider when determining if a medication is safe or compatible with breastfeeding. You should consult with your psychiatrist , who can advise you on whether the medication you are taking is safe for breastfeeding and if you should take any steps to reduce this risk, such as avoiding taking the medication right before a feeding, changing the medication, or reducing the dosage.
Can my son or daughter inherit the disorder?
Psychosis is not caused by a single factor, but rather by the interaction of several factors. Some of these factors are biological, meaning there is a genetic predisposition, while others are environmental, such as lifestyle and psychological and social stressors (stress, drug use, trauma, or childhood abuse, for example). Family history can therefore contribute to the development of a psychotic disorder, but some people may be more prone than others to developing psychotic symptoms under certain conditions.
What is puerperal psychosis?
Puerperal psychosis is a mental disorder characterized by depression or manic symptoms , accompanied by psychotic symptoms, and typically begins a few days after childbirth (two weeks postpartum). These psychotic symptoms can include delusions or hallucinations, such as hearing voices, seeing visions, or experiencing tactile sensations.
It is a serious disorder that usually requires hospitalization and psychopharmacological treatment. Having experienced postpartum psychosis in a previous delivery, a prior psychotic or manic disorder, or having a family member with this diagnosis are risk factors for developing it. Therefore, it is very important to take preventative measures and plan ahead through pregnancy planning, considering preventative medication with antipsychotics or mood stabilizers, and maintaining close follow-up with your healthcare professionals, both during pregnancy and postpartum.
Featuring
