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Healthy babies for mothers with serious mental illness: a case management framework for mental health clinicians.
- Source :
-
International journal of mental health nursing [Int J Ment Health Nurs] 2008 Dec; Vol. 17 (6), pp. 383-91. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Women with a serious mental illness (SMI), notably schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders are considered high risk for adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, which in turn, are associated with poor neurodevelopment in the child. Failure to access antenatal care, poor adherence with folate supplementation, an unhealthy lifestyle, and inappropriate health decisions can contribute to poor outcomes. Many women with SMI continue contact with mental health services while pregnant. This primary prevention project aimed to develop a framework for community mental health clinicians to improve the reproductive health outcomes for women with SMI. The consultation process involved discussions with key stakeholders, an environmental scan to determine current service delivery issues, a literature review, and individual and group interviews with community mental health clinicians, consumers, general practitioners, and midwives. Three key elements underpin the framework: early detection and monitoring of pregnancy, providing reproductive choices, and implementing a 'small known team approach' in the management of the pregnant client. Specific modules within the framework focus upon establishing a professional support network, assessing the risk of pregnancy, the early detection of pregnancy, monitoring during pregnancy, preparing for birth, and planning for the postnatal period. Implementation of the framework has the potential to significantly improve obstetric and neonatal outcomes for this high-risk group.
- Subjects :
- Community Mental Health Services
Continuity of Patient Care
Cooperative Behavior
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Interdisciplinary Communication
Nursing Assessment
Pregnancy
Referral and Consultation
Risk Assessment
Bipolar Disorder nursing
Personality Disorders nursing
Pregnancy Complications nursing
Prenatal Care methods
Schizophrenia nursing
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1445-8330
- Volume :
- 17
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International journal of mental health nursing
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19128285
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0349.2008.00573.x