Simple and Practical Mental Health

The BEST resource for mental health clinicians

  • REVIEWS
  • MENUS
  • RESOURCES
    • Side effect handouts
    • Patient handouts: Main page
    • How to find treatment resources
    • Rating scales and questionnaires for mental health clinicians
    • BEST books
    • BEST apps/ websites
  • NEWS
  • QUESTIONS?
  • DAILY EMAILS
  • FAQ
  • LOG IN
  • JOIN

Main Menu: Pregnancy and Lactation/ Breastfeeding

This is the Main Menu listing and linking to all articles on this website that are about Mental disorders and related conditions.

Other Main Menus can be found by hovering over the Main Menus tab at the top of every page on this website.


Pregnancy

Pregnancy—General articles

General approach to treating women during pregnancy and lactation

Refer all pregnant patients to pregnancy registries!

Encourage pregnant women on an antiepileptic drug to enroll in these registries

Pregnancy and psychotropic medications: Online resources

Does this medication increase the risk of bad outcomes in pregnancy?


Pregnancy—ADHD

Why we must plan for managing ADHD during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tips on planning for pregnancy and breastfeeding in women with ADHD

Do stimulant medications during pregnancy increase the risk of congenital malformations?

Does methylphenidate during pregnancy increase the risk of congenital malformations?

Are stimulant medications during pregnancy associated with hypertension, pre-eclampsia, or eclampsia?


Pregnancy—Agitation

How to manage agitation in a pregnant woman

Serious dangers to avoid if it is essential to physically restrain a pregnant woman


Pregnancy—Antipsychotic Medications

Potential risks of second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics in pregnancy

What are the possible risks of using lurasidone (Latuda®) during pregnancy


Pregnancy—Bipolar disorders

Tips on using lithium during pregnancy

Is the use of lamotrigine during pregnancy safe?


Pregnancy—Depressive Disorders

Bright light therapy for depressive disorders during pregnancy?

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for depressive disorders during pregnancy?


Pregnancy—Sleep Disorders

Why we must recognize and treat sleep disorders during pregnancy

Is it safe to recommend an antihistamine for insomnia during pregnancy?

Are the Z-drugs (zolpidem and others) safe to take during pregnancy?

Conclusions about the potential risks of benzodiazepines during pregnancy




Lactation/ Breastfeeding

Lactation/ Breastfeeding—General articles

General approach to treating women during pregnancy and lactation

Tips on psychotropic medications during breastfeeding

In breastfeeding, consider the “milk/ plasma ratio” and the “relative infant dose”

Lactation and psychotropic medications: Resources


Lactation/ Breastfeeding—ADHD

Why we must plan for managing ADHD during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tips on planning for pregnancy and breastfeeding in women with ADHD

Is methylphenidate safe to take during lactation (breastfeeding)?

Can a woman taking a prescription amphetamine breastfeed her infant?

Is it safer during breastfeeding to take methylphenidate or an amphetamine?


Lactation/ Breastfeeding—Bipolar disorders

What should we recommend about lamotrigine and breastfeeding?


Lactation/ Breastfeeding—Depressive disorders

Is sertraline safe in lactation?


Copyright © 2025, Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. The content on this website may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.

Disclaimer: The material on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended or recommended for patients or other laypersons or as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most recently updated information.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Follow us on social media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright 2016 to 2025: Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved.