TY - JOUR
T1 - Reproductive planning, vitamin knowledge and use, and lifestyle risks of women attending pregnancy care with a severe mental illness
AU - Frayne, Jacqueline
AU - Hauck, Yvonne
AU - Nguyen, Thinh
AU - Liira, Helena
AU - Morgan, Vera A.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Objective: Women with severe mental illnesses are a vulnerable population and little is known about their reproductive planning needs. The aim of our study was to describe rates of unintended pregnancies, postpartum contraception, identify use and knowledge of prenatal/pregnancy vitamins and identify modifiable lifestyle risks. Design: Mixed methods study incorporating a cross-sectional survey and prospective pregnancy data collection Setting: A multidisciplinary antenatal clinic in Australia Method: Thirty-eight pregnant women with severe mental illnesses: schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar and severe post-traumatic stress disorder Main outcome measures: Unintended pregnancy rates, immediate postpartum contraception, use of prenatal and pregnancy vitamins and knowledge sources, obesity, and use and cessation rates for smoking, and substances, and comorbid medical conditions Results: Overall 42% of women had unintended pregnancy, with those with schizophrenia at most risk (56%). A long acting reversible contraception was inserted in 5 women (13%), with 45% having no immediate contraception prescribed prior to postnatal discharge. Women’s main source of vitamin supplementation for pregnancy was from general practitioners. Prenatal folic acid use occurred in 37%, with rates differing for those with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (52%) and schizophrenia (25%). Vitamin deficiencies occurred in pregnancy, with iron deficiency (ferritin <30 ng/mL) (n = 27, 73%) the most frequent. Overall 21% of women smoked cigarettes and 35% were obese. Discussion: Addressing gaps in use of effective contraception, proactive reproductive planning and lifestyle management may improve outcomes for women with mental illnesses and their babies.Key points Women with severe mental illnesses have complex health needs that require targeted reproductive counselling. This study adds to what is known by highlighting that: •Women with schizophrenia appear more likely to have unintended pregnancy. •Prenatal counselling for women with severe mental disorders should include recognition and optimisation of management for the high rates of pre-existing medical comorbidities, obesity and elevated nicotine and substance use. •Many women with severe mental illness need increased doses (5 mg) of prenatal folic acid due to psychotropic medication risk and obesity, as well as treatment for high rates of iron and vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy.
AB - Objective: Women with severe mental illnesses are a vulnerable population and little is known about their reproductive planning needs. The aim of our study was to describe rates of unintended pregnancies, postpartum contraception, identify use and knowledge of prenatal/pregnancy vitamins and identify modifiable lifestyle risks. Design: Mixed methods study incorporating a cross-sectional survey and prospective pregnancy data collection Setting: A multidisciplinary antenatal clinic in Australia Method: Thirty-eight pregnant women with severe mental illnesses: schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar and severe post-traumatic stress disorder Main outcome measures: Unintended pregnancy rates, immediate postpartum contraception, use of prenatal and pregnancy vitamins and knowledge sources, obesity, and use and cessation rates for smoking, and substances, and comorbid medical conditions Results: Overall 42% of women had unintended pregnancy, with those with schizophrenia at most risk (56%). A long acting reversible contraception was inserted in 5 women (13%), with 45% having no immediate contraception prescribed prior to postnatal discharge. Women’s main source of vitamin supplementation for pregnancy was from general practitioners. Prenatal folic acid use occurred in 37%, with rates differing for those with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (52%) and schizophrenia (25%). Vitamin deficiencies occurred in pregnancy, with iron deficiency (ferritin <30 ng/mL) (n = 27, 73%) the most frequent. Overall 21% of women smoked cigarettes and 35% were obese. Discussion: Addressing gaps in use of effective contraception, proactive reproductive planning and lifestyle management may improve outcomes for women with mental illnesses and their babies.Key points Women with severe mental illnesses have complex health needs that require targeted reproductive counselling. This study adds to what is known by highlighting that: •Women with schizophrenia appear more likely to have unintended pregnancy. •Prenatal counselling for women with severe mental disorders should include recognition and optimisation of management for the high rates of pre-existing medical comorbidities, obesity and elevated nicotine and substance use. •Many women with severe mental illness need increased doses (5 mg) of prenatal folic acid due to psychotropic medication risk and obesity, as well as treatment for high rates of iron and vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy.
KW - bipolar
KW - mental disorders
KW - prenatal vitamins
KW - prevention
KW - schizophrenia
KW - Unintended pregnancy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85101051931&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02813432.2021.1882081
DO - 10.1080/02813432.2021.1882081
M3 - Article
C2 - 33569975
AN - SCOPUS:85101051931
SN - 0281-3432
VL - 39
SP - 60
EP - 66
JO - Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
JF - Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
IS - 1
ER -