European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists
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Comparative Study
The management of bipolar disorder in the perinatal period and risk factors for postpartum relapse.
The perinatal period is a time of high risk of relapse for women with a history of bipolar affective disorder (BPAD). We describe the pregnancy management of women with BPAD and identify risk factors for postpartum relapse. ⋯ Identifying risk factors for postpartum relapse enables us to individualise the estimation of a woman's risk and modify care plans accordingly. Duration of wellness prior to pregnancy is not associated with a lower risk of postpartum illness and so it is imperative that all women with BPAD receive referral in pregnancy.