Safety of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Pregnancy

Objective: The treatment of psychiatric disorders in pregnancy poses a challenge. Pharmacological treatment of psychiatric disorders in pregnant women is complicated. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been demonstrated to be effective and safe in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. In this study, we investigated the safety and the probable complications of either concurrent with or following to ECT treatment among pregnant patients. Method: The 25 pregnancy cases, where ECT was applied between 2006 and 2012, have been reviewed. These patients have been interviewed and their clinical histories have been documented. Both maternal and fetal complications have been followed up. Results: Two patients have been treated with ECT twice during their pregnancies. For this reason, they are treated as two separate cases. The distribution of the cases is as follows: 8 (32%) psychosis, 11 (44%) bipolar disorder, and 6 (24%) depression. Out of these cases, the prognosis distribution is as follows: 10 (40%) full recovery, 11 (44%) partial recovery, and 4 (16%) discharged from hospital prior to the completion of the treatment at the request of their relatives. Two had complications that were early membrane rupture and stillbirth. Conclusion: In our study, no findings were observed regarding unsafe use of ECT during pregnancy.