Summary

[Published February 2007, expected review date TBC]

This guideline covers:

• recognising mental health problems during pregnancy and in the first year after giving birth
• the care and treatment (including drugs and psychological treatments) of women who develop a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth, and women who have a higher chance of developing a problem at this time
• the care and treatment (including drugs and psychological treatments) of women who already had a mental health problem before becoming pregnant
• how families and carers may be able to support women with mental health problems and get support for themselves.
  
  

This guideline does not cover:

• the care of women with ‘baby blues’ in the first few days after giving birth (this is covered in the NICE guideline on postnatal care)
• the treatment of physical health problems during pregnancy and in the first year after giving birth
• the treatment of mental health problems at any time other than when planning a pregnancy, during pregnancy and in the first year after giving birth.

How to cite NICE mental health guidelines developed by the NCCMH