Summary ECT offers a valuable alternative for treating the pregnant patient suffering from depression, mania, catatonia, or schizophrenia. Pharmacological therapy for these psychiatric illnesses carries inherent risks of side effects and adverse consequences to the unborn child. Medications often require a long time to take effect, or the patient may be refractory to them. Additionally, these psychiatric conditions themselves are a risk to the mother and fetus. The risk of the procedure can be minimized by modifying the technique.
Medications used during the procedure are reportedly safe to use during pregnancy.
In addition, complications reported in pregnant patients who received ECT during pregnancy have not been conclusively associated with the treatment. Research conducted to date suggests that ECT is a useful resource in psychiatric treatment of the pregnant patient. Cherala SR, Eddie DN, Sechzer PH. 1989. Placental transfer of succinylcholine causing transient respiratory depression in the newborn. Anaesth Intens Care.