The “What I Wish I Knew” series of articles is a service of CPNP’s Resident and New Practitioner Committee. Articles are intended to provide advice from experts for students, residents, and new practitioners. Articles are not intended to provide in-depth disease state or pharmacotherapy information nor replace any peer-reviewed educational materials. We hope you benefit from this “field guide” discussing approaches to unique problems and situations.
What are provider concerns and assumptions about patient’s using psychotropics during pregnancy? A common assumption by providers is that the treatment of psychiatric conditions is more important than plans or desires for pregnancy on the part of the patient, or that the benefits of medication treatment clearly outweigh the risks in the setting of a current pregnancy. Providers’ own beliefs about the benefits of medication treatment may be ‘imposed’ on patients without an adequate two-way conversation. While providers may be well intentioned, this approach does not foster trust and openness in expressing concerns, validating them, or developing ‘buy-in’ on the part of patients.