ABSTRACT
Pregnancy may be entered into as an attempt to gain attention, as an escape from an unwelcome situation, to mend a failing relationship, or to provide a love object. There is a surprising incidence of measurable psychiatric morbidity, even during an apparently 'normal' pregnancy. Prospective studies have shown that women who have frequent doubts about their ability to handle the demands of pregnancy and parenthood exhibit the most severe depressive symptoms in pregnancy. However, this may have a positive effect postpartum, as the woman 'rehearses' antenatally some of the negative aspects of motherhood. Other contributory personality factors may include over-dependency on partner or parents, and an over-sensitive, anxious or pessimistic personality. Where there are more specific psychological issues to be addressed, counselling or psychotherapy can be of benefit. Medication is rarely indicated, and should certainly be avoided where the mother has particular concerns about the normality of the fetus.
