Outcomes for pregnant women with Borderline Personality Disorder who attended a specialist antenatal service.

OBJECTIVE: Our study focussed on the obstetric and psychosocial outcomes of pregnant women with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) who received care via a specialist antenatal clinic in Western Australia. METHOD: This study is a retrospective examination of outcomes for 80 women with a confirmed diagnosis of BPD, with findings compared with published population outcome data for the state. RESULTS: Pregnant women with BPD appeared to be at a risk of complications including pre-eclampsia and special care nursery admission for their newborns when compared to population data. Furthermore, the studied women had elevated rates of psychiatric admissions during pregnancy, child protection involvement, and domestic violence. Polypharmacy exposure was frequent, with the likely impact on obstetric and neonatal outcomes requiring further study. CONCLUSION: The findings reinforced the notion that pregnant women with BPD experience complex multifaceted vulnerabilities and require enhanced multidisciplinary care. Our study further calls for the development of clinical practice guidelines for managing BPD in the perinatal period.

General practitioner perceptions and experiences of managing perinatal mental health: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: General Practitioners (GPs) are involved in preconception, pregnancy, and postnatal care. Overall, mental health remains a significant contributor to disease burden affecting 1 in 4 pregnant women. Psychotropic medication prescribing occurs in almost 1 in 12 pregnancies, and appears to be increasing, along with the prevalence of mental health disorders in women of reproductive age. Perinatal mental health management is therefore not an unlikely scenario within their clinical practice. This scoping review aims to map current research related to GPs perceptions and experiences of managing perinatal mental health. METHOD: A comprehensive search strategy using nine electronic databases, and grey literature was undertaken between December 2021 and February 2023. Relevant studies were sourced from peer review databases using key terms related to perinatal mental health and general practitioners. Search results were screened on title, abstract and full text to assess those meeting inclusion criteria and relevance to the research question. RESULTS: After screening, 16 articles were included in the scoping review. The majority focused on perinatal depression. Findings support that GPs express confidence with diagnosing perinatal depression but report issues of stigma navigating a diagnosis. Over the last two decades, prescribing confidence in perinatal mental health remains variable with concerns for the safety profile of medication, low level of confidence in providing information and a strong reliance on personal experience. Despite the establishment of perinatal guidelines by countries, the utilisation of these and other existing resources by GPs appears from current literature to be infrequent. Many challenges exist for GPs around time pressures, a lack of information and resources, and difficulty accessing referral to services. CONCLUSION: Recommendations following this scoping review include targeted perinatal education programs specific for GPs and embedded within training programs and the development of practice guidelines and resources specific to general practice that recognises time, services, and funding limitations. To achieve this future research is first needed on how guidelines and resources can be developed and best delivered to optimise GP engagement to improve knowledge and enhance patient care.

Acceptability of using the Raising Awareness Tool for Endometriosis (RATE) in general practice: a mixed methods pilot study.

AIMS: The Raising Awareness Tool for Endometriosis (RATE) was developed to facilitate discussions with health providers regarding endometriosis-associated symptoms. We aim to evaluate the acceptability of the RATE by general practitioners (GP), including determining the prevalence of symptoms of women presenting to general practice and immediate management of symptoms. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was undertaken using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data in Western Australian General Practices from 2021 to 2022. A purposive sample of 12 GPs were included, who recruited women (18-50 years) on attendance for consultation over a one- to two-week period, followed by qualitative interviews exploring GPs' experiences with the tool. The quantitative and qualitative components were integrated during analysis of results. RESULTS: A total of 111 women completed the RATE (mean: 33, standard deviation: 8.6 years) prior to routine consultation. The tool was considered to be acceptable for use in general practice and aided discussions on symptoms and management. Overall, 68.5% of patients experienced pelvic pain or discomfort, with 22.4% rating that this interfered with quality of life. Of those with pelvic pain, 75% had associated chronic pain conditions, and 42.1% reported allodynia. The chronic pain questions provoked GP uncertainty. After symptoms were identified, GPs arranged individualised investigations and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The RATE was considered to be acceptable for use in the general practice setting. It identified symptoms and initiated discussions on possible diagnosis as well as management of endometriosis. Further GP education on identifying those women at most risk of developing chronic pain syndromes is needed.

The Patterns of Antipsychotic Use for Pregnant Women Over a 16-year Timeframe in an Australian Principal Referral and Specialist Women and Newborn Hospital.

The purpose of the study is to analyse the patterns of antipsychotic use for pregnant women in an Australian Principal Referral and Specialist Women and Newborn Hospital. This retrospective, observational study involved an analysis of dispensing data of antipsychotics from 1998 to 2014 extracted from the pharmacy dispensing systems. The study included 282 antipsychotic dispensings in the years 1999 to 2006 and 3041 dispensings in the years 2007 to 2014. Second-generation antipsychotic use during pregnancy increased over time, while first-generation-antipsychotics showed declining trend. The use of quetiapine has increased from 2.9% of total antipsychotic dispensings in 2002 up to 77.9% of total antipsychotic dispensings in 2008. Olanzapine use decreased from 78.1% in 2003 to around 20% since 2006. When comparing the age distribution, there was an increased proportion of patients receiving antipsychotics in the 30-39 age range in the second period of 2007 to 2014 compared to 1999 to 2006. The proportion of women on more than one antipsychotic increased from 5% (n = 8) to 9.8% (n = 81) when comparing between 1999 and 2006 and between 2007 and 2014. Our findings indicate a significant shift in prescribing patterns over the study period, with the increased use of antipsychotics, particularly the emergence of SGAs from 2007, changing trends in the use of specific medications as published findings on their safety profiles becomes evident, and more polypharmacy prescribing.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in rural and metropolitan Western Australia: A mid-rollout cross-sectional analysis of why it exists and potential solutions.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccine hesitancy represents a state of uncertainty before a decision about vaccination is made. It can lead to limited vaccine uptake despite adequate supply and an efficacious product. Western Australia (WA) presents a unique challenge with a population widely spread across metropolitan and rural sites and diverse opinions regarding vaccination. OBJECTIVE: To elicit and compare the common COVID-19 vaccine concerns in rural and metropolitan WA, and to identify proposed solutions to vaccine hesitancy. DESIGN: A voluntary online survey was distributed via social media over a 2-week period in August 2021 during Phase 2A of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Strategy. General practitioners and members of the public living in rural and metropolitan WA over the age of 18 were surveyed regarding COVID-19 vaccine concerns (blood clots; long- and short-term side effects; lack of testing; and other concerns) and suggested methods to address vaccine hesitancy. Data were analysed with a sequential mixed methods and thematic analysis approach. FINDINGS: There were 468 general population respondents to our survey, of whom 19.0% (n = 89) lived rurally. A majority (52.6% [n = 246]) of general respondents expressed concerns about COVID-19 vaccine safety. The commonest concerns were long- and short-term side effects, blood clots and inadequate testing. There was a positive correlation between rurality and vaccine concerns; an inverse relationship between rurality and vaccine uptake; and an inverse relationship between vaccine concerns and uptake. Improved media coverage was the commonest solution suggested to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. DISCUSSION: A significant proportion of respondents had concerns about vaccine safety; concerns were more common in rural respondents. Rural communities may benefit from location-targeted media campaigns with a focus on breaking down barriers specific to these members of the population. Vaccine access is more challenging, and consistent messaging from trusted sources is of utmost importance to improve uptake. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is more common in rural populations. Targeted media-based education regarding vaccine safety may improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Teaching and assessment of clinical diagnostic reasoning in medical students.

BACKGROUND: Teaching diagnostic reasoning and giving feedback has an important role in medical education. Clinicians who teach may recognise errors, but be unfamiliar with the terminology used to describe them, leading to a lack of consistent and useful student feedback. OBJECTIVE: This prospective project evaluation study aimed to develop an examiner training package regarding errors in diagnostic reasoning, utilising consistent language and feedback tool, and report on diagnostic reasoning errors in second year medical students over the transition from preclinical to early clinical training at objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs). RESULTS: Likert questionnaire regarding examining, assessment and feedback pre- and post-training showed improvement in all measures, including examiner feedback confidence post training (p < .001). Students (n = 235) within the cohort were examined at the first preclinical OSCE 12 weeks into the teaching year and 236 students at the end of year OSCE. A range of 0-6 diagnostic reasoning errors were reported for individual students. When comparing mean history station scores at the preclinical OSCE for students who were observed to have diagnostic reasoning errors, students with 'poor pattern recognition' had a 4.2% lower score than those without this error type (p = .04, 95% CI of difference .14, 8.32), while those with 'unfocused data collection' error had a station score 7.7% lower than those without this error (p < .001, 95% CI of difference 3.50, 11.99). At the end of teaching year clinical OSCE, all common error types were associated with poorer performance. Error pattern shifted through the two longitudinal assessments, resulting in 'poor pattern recognition' having reduced and 'too narrow' and 'premature closure' increased rates. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating the identification and feedback of common diagnostic reasoning errors into existing clinical assessments was feasible and easy to implement. Understanding, identifying and providing consistent feedback on common errors assists educators and could guide curriculum design.

Impact of pelvic floor dysfunction in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women attending an urban Aboriginal medical service.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor dysfunction causes high-level disease burden, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women less likely to have access to best management for these issues due to multiple sociocultural barriers. There is limited data on the impact of pelvic floor dysfunction in this specific population. AIMS: To explore the impact of pelvic floor dysfunction on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women attending an urban Aboriginal medical service, considering barriers and facilitators for care, and the services that are desired to address these conditions. METHODS: This is a mixed methods project utilising the validated Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire 7 in combination with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS Version 24 and analysis included the use of means, SD and Fisher's exact test for comparison. Interview transcriptions were coded into initial themes using thematic analysis and a theoretical approach was used to capture common patterned responses. RESULTS: The majority of women reported urinary incontinence. Higher scores on the urinary impact questions were significantly associated with comorbid risk factors of chronic cough and obesity. Salient themes from interviews included help-seeking behaviours, embarrassment and normalisation of the condition. Women desired access to a pelvic floor physiotherapist, and preferred a female doctor and a consistent care provider. CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor disorders cause high disease burden for Aboriginal women across a broad age range with associated comorbid risk factors frequently occurring. This study suggests service improvement and care delivery strategies that may improve long-term outcomes for Aboriginal women with pelvic floor conditions.

Reproductive planning, vitamin knowledge and use, and lifestyle risks of women attending pregnancy care with a severe mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: Women with severe mental illnesses are a vulnerable population and little is known about their reproductive planning needs. The aim of our study was to describe rates of unintended pregnancies, postpartum contraception, identify use and knowledge of prenatal/pregnancy vitamins and identify modifiable lifestyle risks. DESIGN: Mixed methods study incorporating a cross-sectional survey and prospective pregnancy data collection. SETTING: A multidisciplinary antenatal clinic in Australia. METHOD: Thirty-eight pregnant women with severe mental illnesses: schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar and severe post-traumatic stress disorder. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Unintended pregnancy rates, immediate postpartum contraception, use of prenatal and pregnancy vitamins and knowledge sources, obesity, and use and cessation rates for smoking, and substances, and comorbid medical conditions. RESULTS: Overall 42% of women had unintended pregnancy, with those with schizophrenia at most risk (56%). A long acting reversible contraception was inserted in 5 women (13%), with 45% having no immediate contraception prescribed prior to postnatal discharge. Women's main source of vitamin supplementation for pregnancy was from general practitioners. Prenatal folic acid use occurred in 37%, with rates differing for those with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (52%) and schizophrenia (25%). Vitamin deficiencies occurred in pregnancy, with iron deficiency (ferritin <30 ng/mL) (n = 27, 73%) the most frequent. Overall 21% of women smoked cigarettes and 35% were obese. DISCUSSION: Addressing gaps in use of effective contraception, proactive reproductive planning and lifestyle management may improve outcomes for women with mental illnesses and their babies.Key pointsWomen with severe mental illnesses have complex health needs that require targeted reproductive counselling. This study adds to what is known by highlighting that:•Women with schizophrenia appear more likely to have unintended pregnancy.•Prenatal counselling for women with severe mental disorders should include recognition and optimisation of management for the high rates of pre-existing medical comorbidities, obesity and elevated nicotine and substance use.•Many women with severe mental illness need increased doses (5 mg) of prenatal folic acid due to psychotropic medication risk and obesity, as well as treatment for high rates of iron and vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy.

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes of clozapine exposure in pregnancy: a consecutive case series.

Clozapine is an effective antipsychotic that can lead to symptom resolution and functional recovery in patients with schizophrenia. Its available pregnancy safety data remain limited, which presents a challenge for clinicians managing women of reproductive age on clozapine. We retrospectively studied a consecutive case series of nine pregnancies where there was clozapine exposure. Our case series demonstrates that pregnant women on clozapine treatment can remain stable psychiatrically, but are vulnerable obstetrically, with high rates of obesity and gestational diabetes. Their babies also have poor neonatal adjustment, often requiring neonatal resuscitation. Furthermore, we report on clozapine-related side effects, changes in clozapine levels during pregnancy as well as variation in foetal wellbeing monitoring. These findings have implications for pregnancy care for women taking clozapine and require further exploration.

The association between gestational diabetes mellitus, antipsychotics and severe mental illness in pregnancy: A multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: There have been conflicting findings for severe mental illnesses and the risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Outside of pregnancy, both severe mental illnesses and specific antipsychotic medications have been associated with an elevated risk for metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. AIM: This study examined the risk of developing GDM in relation to mental disorder, psychotropic treatment and comorbid risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 539 pregnant women with mental disorders was carried out. Measures included GDM diagnosis, mental health diagnosis, psychotropic medication, body mass index, age, smoking, alcohol and illicit substance use. RESULTS: This study found that women with psychotic disorders had a significantly elevated risk for GDM (20.9%) compared with women with non-psychotic severe mental illnesses during pregnancy (P = 0.023), and nearly threefold the expected population rate (8.3%). Furthermore, women using specific antipsychotic agents - risperidone (P = 0.016), clozapine (P < 0.001) and higher-dose quetiapine (P = 0.029) - also had a higher risk of developing GDM. After adjusting for maternal age and body mass index, women taking these specific agents continued to have a fourfold risk of having GDM compared with women not taking these agents. Smoking, alcohol consumption and illicit drug use were not associated with elevated GDM rate in women with mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the need for early screening and closer surveillance of metabolic risk in pregnancy for women with psychotic disorders and those taking specific atypical antipsychotic agents.

Obstetric outcomes for women with severe mental illness: 10 years of experience in a tertiary multidisciplinary antenatal clinic.

PURPOSE: This study aims to describe 10 years of antenatal care and outcomes for women with a severe mental illness (SMI). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 420 completed pregnancy records over the last 10 years (2007-2017). Findings were compared to the Western Australian (WA) pregnancy data. Antenatal attendance, demographic, obstetric, neonatal and psychosocial variables were analysed using t tests, χ2, ANOVA and odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: Overall, women with a SMI had high rates of comorbidity (47%), antenatal complications, and preterm birth at 12.6% compared to WA mothers (p < 0.001). Those with schizophrenia were at highest risk with increased risk of threatened preterm labour OR 8.25 (95% CI 4.64-14.65), gestational diabetes OR 3.59 (95% CI 2.18-5.91) and reduced likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth OR 0.46 (95% CI 0.29-0.71). Late presentation and antenatal attendance for women with SMI were significantly associated with maternal substance use, psychiatric admission during pregnancy, and child welfare involvement. Women with schizophrenia had significantly lower attendance rates at scheduled antenatal care (ANC) appointments than those with bipolar disease (87.1% vs 94%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Obstetric outcomes are poorer for women with SMI compared to the general population. They have higher rates of medical comorbidities, lifestyle and psychosocial risks factors that are known to contribute to poor obstetric outcomes. Effective delivery of regular and appropriate ANC is essential in addressing these multifactorial risks. Targeted strategies addressing comprehensive medical management, preterm birth prevention, lifestyle modifications and increased psychosocial support could improve both short- and long-term outcomes for these women and their children.

The Relationship Between Pregnancy Exposure to Antidepressant and Atypical Antipsychotic Medications and Placental Weight and Birth Weight Ratio: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Psychotropic medication use in pregnancy has been associated with altered fetal growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between placental weight and placental weight-to-birth weight (PBW) ratio, as a potential marker of placental efficiency, and medication use in a cohort of women with severe mental illness in pregnancy. METHODS: A retrospective database analysis was carried out on a cohort of pregnant women with severe mental illness (242 singleton pregnancies) and grouped according to their psychotropic medication use. Demographic, obstetric, neonatal, and psychiatric variables were analyzed using t tests, χ, analysis of variance, univariate, binary, and multiple regression adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a mean adjusted increase in placental weight of 114 g (95% confidence interval [CI], 60.2-165.6 g) in women taking antidepressant medication and 113 g (CI, 65.1-162.8 g) in women taking combined antidepressant and atypical antipsychotic medication in pregnancy. There was also a significantly elevated PBW ratio in these 2 medication groups (B 0.02: CI, 0.006-0.034; and B 0.025: CI, 0.012-0.038). Binary regression, adjusted for sex and gestational age, showed a significant odds ratio of 4.57 (95% CI, 2.17-9.62) for PBW ratio of greater than 90% in those taking antidepressant medication, either alone or in combination, compared with unmedicated women. CONCLUSIONS: The use of antidepressant medication, alone or in combination, has a significant effect on placental weight and PBW ratio after adjusting for confounding variables. Given that this may reflect adverse effects on intrauterine growth and have possible long-term implications for the fetus, further research is warranted to confirm these findings.

The effects of gestational use of antidepressants and antipsychotics on neonatal outcomes for women with severe mental illness.

BACKGROUND: Psychotropic medication use occurs in 8% of pregnancies, with rates increasing, and often multiple medications prescribed. AIMS: This study aims to determine if the use of psychotropic medication, in a cohort of women with severe mental illness, increases rates of special care nursery admission and reports differences between antidepressant and antipsychotic medication use either alone or in combination. METHODS: A retrospective database analysis from a cohort with severe mental illness in pregnancy identified 268 pregnant women who were grouped according to medication type. Demographic, obstetric and neonatal variables were analysed using t-tests, χ2 , analysis of variance and logistic regression analysis for special care nursery admission. RESULTS: The medication groups consisted of: women taking no psychotropic medications (n = 67); those taking antipsychotics (n = 87); those taking antidepressants (n = 55); those taking and a combination of antidepressants/antipsychotics (n = 59). Rates of special care nursery admission in women who took psychotropic medication (41.3%) were elevated compared to those who did not (26.9%) (P = 0.035), and were significantly raised when compared to the general population (P < 0.000). No significant difference occurred between the medication groups. A significant adjusted odds ratio of 2.79 (95% CI 1.286-6.049) was found for special care nursery and psychiatric admission during pregnancy but not for psychotropic medication. CONCLUSION: Rates of special care nursery admission are elevated in neonates of women with severe mental illness taking psychotropic medication, but were not different for monotherapy or polytherapy when prescribing antidepressants or antipsychotic medication. Additional vulnerability occurs in the neonates of women with a mental illness and paediatric presence at delivery is recommended.

Sexual health and sexual trauma in women with severe mental illness: An exploratory survey of Western Australian community mental health services.

Australian women attending community mental health services were surveyed to determine the relationship between sexual trauma, sexual activity, and sexual health seeking behaviors. Self-reported history of "forced sex" was 58.4% (n = 122 out of 220). Latent class analysis revealed a three-class model: "sexually active and health seeking," "low sexual activity and health seeking" and "low sexual activity and not health seeking." An association with general practitioner engagement and sexual health seeking behaviors was found. Rates of self-reported sexual trauma reinforce the need for screening and trauma informed care. Groupings may reflect different aspects of recovery associated with sexual health behaviors.

Enjoying a healthy pregnancy: GPs' essential role in health promotion.

BACKGROUND: For many women, a major pregnancy goal is to achieve an enjoyable, healthy pregnancy. The continuum of care from preconception counselling, management of early pregnancy, referral or continued pregnancy care and management into the postpartum period places general practitioners (GPs) in a unique position to meaningfully contribute on many levels to this realisation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to explore the determinants of a healthy and enjoyable pregnancy, and asks how GPs can facilitate an optimum experience for women in pregnancy, regardless of risk. DISCUSSION: GPs can play a key role with prospective parents in health promotion, directing them to appropriate resources and services; addressing disease prevention by targeting modifiable lifestyle risks; and managing chronic health concerns in the optimisation of pregnancy care.

Sexual and reproductive health trends among women with enduring mental illness: a survey of Western Australian community mental health services.

An exploratory cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine associations and potential modifiable risk factors for management of sexual and reproductive health needs for women attending community mental health services. Women (n = 220) had on average three pregnancies; 61.2% were unplanned. One quarter who were sexually active within the past 12 months denied using contraception with 51% using less effective methods. The majority (81.7%) engaged in Pap smear screening, and those with a general practitioner (GP) were more likely to participate (p =.004). Findings highlight GPs' potential in optimizing women's health. Considering unplanned pregnancies and contraception trends, we suggest improved access to contraception options, particularly long-acting reversible methods.

The comprehensive management of pregnant women with major mood disorders: a case study involving phenelzine, lithium, and quetiapine.

Pregnancy in women with severe mental illness (SMI) often bring added dimensions of complexity; considering that this group of women are choosing to have children at increasing rates, more highly complex cases will require management. A 31-year-old primigravida with a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder was treated with an antidepressant, mood stabiliser and antipsychotic. This case discusses preconception counselling, pregnancy and labour management that resulted in the delivery of a 4,200 g baby at 39 weeks by emergency caesarian section. This case highlights the collaborative approach to care that is needed in this group of women and the need for increasing awareness and knowledge in health professionals. It follows the management from preconception through to the postpartum period.

Severe mental illness and induction of labour: outcomes for women at a specialist antenatal clinic in Western Australia.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence is available around induction of labour (IOL) and obstetric outcomes for pregnant women with severe mental illness (SMI). AIMS: Our study examined obstetric and neonatal outcomes for women attending a specialist childbirth and mental illness (CAMI) antenatal clinic in Perth, Western Australia (WA), who experienced or did not experience IOL. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted between December 2007 and May 2012 (n = 222), using patient records and computerised perinatal data collected by the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinical Care Unit. Descriptive statistics and univariate comparisons using Mann-Whitney tests and X(2) tests were conducted using SPSS. RESULTS: The overall rate of IOL in this study group was 40%, which was significantly higher than the WA Mother Baby Statistics by 11.6% (95% CI 4.9-18.3%, P < 0.002). Of those induced, 30% (27 of 185) were induced for psychiatric reasons. Women with schizophrenia were more likely to have IOL for an obstetric/fetal reason than a psychiatric reason (45% vs. 15%, P = 0.051). Women who experienced an IOL were less likely to have a spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) and more likely to have an assisted vaginal birth or emergency caesarean section (P = 0.040). Irrespective of labour onset, special care nursery admission (SCN) rates were similar and high for both groups (36% vs. 32%, P = 0.599). CONCLUSION: Obstetric management for women with SMI is complex, and psychiatric factors as well as medical factors must be considered to ensure the best outcomes for mother and infant.

Factors influencing referral to maternity models of care in Australian general practice.

BACKGROUND: In the Australian maternity system, general practitioners play a vital role in advising and directing prospective parents to maternity models of care. Optimising model of care discussions and the decision-making process avoids misaligning women with over or under specialised care, reduces the potential for disruptive care transitions and unnecessary healthcare costs, and is critical in ensuring consumer satisfaction. Current literature overwhelmingly focusses on women's decision-making around model of care discussions and neglects the gatekeeping role of the General Practitioner (GP). This study aimed to explore and describe the factors influencing Australian GPs decision-making when referring pregnant women to maternity models of care. METHODS: This study used a qualitative descriptive approach. General practitioners (N = 12) with experience referring women to maternity models of care in Australia participated in a semi-structured interview. Interviews occurred between October and November 2021 by telephone or videoconference. Reflexive thematic analysis was facilitated by NVivo-12 data management software to codify and interpret themes from the data. FINDINGS: Two broad themes were interpreted from the data. The first theme entitled 'GP Factors', incorporated three associated sub-themes including '1) GPs Previous Model of Care Experience', '2) Gaps in GP Knowledge' and '3) GP Perception of Models of Care'. The second theme, entitled 'Woman's Factors', encapsulated two associated sub-themes including the '4) Woman's Preferences' and '5) Access to Models'. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides novel evidence regarding general practitioner perspectives of the factors influencing model of care decision-making and referral. Predominant findings suggest that gaps in GP knowledge regarding the available models of care are present and are largely informed by prior personal and professional experience. Most GPs described referring to models of care they perceive positively and centring their model of care discussions on the woman's preferences and accessibility. The exploration and description of factors influencing model of care decisions provide unique insight into the ways that all stakeholders can experience access to a broader range of models of care including midwifery-led continuity of care models aligned with consumer-demand. In addition, the role of national primary health networks is outlined as a means to achieving this.

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with severe mental illness at a specialist antenatal clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with severe mental illness (SMI) who attended a specialist multidisciplinary antenatal clinic in Perth, Western Australia. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective case-note audit of outcomes from the Childbirth and Mental Illness Antenatal Clinic (CAMI clinic) at King Edward Memorial Hospital for pregnant women with severe mental illness (SMI), aged 18-41 years, who gave birth between December 2007 and April 2011, and their babies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Obstetric and neonatal outcomes for 138 women and newborns from singleton live births. Data were compared between three diagnostic groups (schizophrenia, bipolar and non-psychotic SMI), and with WA obstetric and perinatal statistics for 2008. RESULTS: 44 women with schizophrenia, 56 with bipolar disorder and 38 with non-psychotic SMI attended antenatal care for an average of 7.7 (SD, 3.3) visits. The proportion of women who smoked tobacco was significantly higher than that in the WA antenatal population (46% v 15%; P < 0.0001). Alcohol use, illicit substance use and psychotropic medication exposure during pregnancy were high. The women were at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (15% v 4%; P < 0.0001) and pre-eclampsia (9% v 3%; P < 0.0001), and birth complications were more common. Babies born to CAMI clinic women were less likely to have Apgar scores ≥ 8 at 1 minute and 5 minutes. Pregnant women with schizophrenia had more psychiatric relapses during pregnancy, and had more statutory child welfare involvement. Gestational age at birth and infant birth weights were similar for the pregnant women with SMI and the WA population in 2008. CONCLUSIONS: Women attending our specialist clinic had increased rates of obstetric and neonatal complications compared with the general population, and were exposed to a cluster of risk factors. We report encouraging trends in antenatal attendance, gestational age at birth, and birth weights. Managing pregnant women with SMI will require a comprehensive approach aimed at early detection of obstetric complications and psychosocial difficulties, as well as neonatal monitoring. Optimising prepregnancy maternal health and welfare may also be of benefit.