Mental illness is the most common medical complication of pregnancy. The impact and prevalence are often underestimated. Depression and anxiety can occur, as at other times of life, but conditions such as postnatal psychosis and tokophobia (fear of childbirth) are specific to mental health in pregnancy and the first year after birth. In this article, we discuss the wide range of perinatal mental illness, using case histories to illustrate different presentations and evidence-based management. We also discuss the wider impact of perinatal mental illness.
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