Abstract
Background: ECT has been used as an intervention for patients with treatment resistant depression, sever psychosis, catatonia, acute mania, certain types of schizophrenic syndromes, and suicidality. ECT is safe in all trimesters, whereas certain medications are only safe at certain times during pregnancy and can be associated with more severe side effects. ECT does not interfere with breastfeeding. Moreover, ECT use in pregnancy has not been shown to increase risk of labor and delivery complications or congenital anomalies, while untreated depression or pharmacotherapy for depression can do so.
 Case Presentation: We discuss three cases in which pregnant patients with psychiatric diagnoses of bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder receive ECT in combination with pharmacotherapy. ECT improved the symptoms of the patients in these cases, but only one of the three patients was discharged home with her baby.
 Conclusion: The women in these cases demonstrate that ECT can be a helpful treatment for psychosis and depression, especially in combination with pharmacotherapy. ECT is safe and effective for both the mother and the fetus. ECT should be considered alongside other mainstays of treatment with special consideration to possible pregnancy-related safety measures.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
