Joint Care of Parents and Infants in Perinatal Psychiatry

This book addresses key issues in perinatal mental health and discusses the different types of psychiatric care that may be appropriate for pregnant women, parents and infants, with emphasis on the need for joint care. The wide range of preventive measures, mainly applicable in primary care and the various potential curative interventions are examined in detail, with coverage of ambulatory care, day care and the role of mother and baby units. The importance of working in networks and joint decision-making strategies is explained. In addition, an overview of maternal perinatal psychopathology is provided and other relevant aspects are fully discussed, including the establishment of parent-infant interactions and the impacts of parental psychiatric illness on parenting skills and infant development. The book will be invaluable for adult and child psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, midwives, nurses and all others involved in the provision of perinatal psychiatric care.