Psychiatric illness during pregnancy has been associated with poor obstetric and postpartum outcomes for both mother and baby. Research teaches us that these illnesses are common in females of reproductive age (e.g. approximately 1 in 5 women of childbearing age will experience depression).We offer assessment to any woman (with or without established mental illness) who wish to fall pregnant; is pregnant, breastfeeding or finds herself in the first year after her baby’s birth.

Detailed Risk Benefit Discussions regarding the use of medication during pregnancy and lactation versus the impact of untreated maternal illness are an essential part of our assessments. In this way we clarify existing literature (which is often difficult to interpret) to empower prospective parents to make well informed decisions regarding management plans of maternal illness during pregnancy.

The physical and emotional difficulties women (and their partners) experience while undergoing fertility treatment have a profound impact on quality of life. Literature describes a link between infertility and mental illness. A comprehensive fertility treatment approach should include an awareness of the mental wellbeing of both the prospective mother and father.

We have extensive experience in treating women undergoing fertility treatment. We believe the collaboration between infertility clinics and mental healthcare providers contribute to better outcomes.

Hormones play a major role in how well your body functions and how you feel from day to day. Although hormone fluctuations occur naturally, such as in puberty, pregnancy and during the perimenopause it may cause considerable discomfort to some women. These women may experience the emergence or worsening of psychiatric symptoms such as irritability, depression and anxiety. Diagnosing and treating conditions related to hormonal fluctuations such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder improve the physical and mental wellbeing of numerous women every day.