Electroconvulsive Therapy with Fetal Monitoring in a Bipolar Pregnant Patient

The management of depression in a pregnant patient is a therapeutic challenge because of the potential teratogenicity of psychotropic medications. The present case report details the safe and effective use of electroconvulsive therapy in a pregnant patient with bipolar affective disorder. Values for maternal blood gases, fetal heart rate monitoring with Doppler ultrasound, and the use of real-time ultrasonography indicate that the treatment has no adverse effect on the fetus. This is believed to be the second case report in the literature in which continuous fetal monitoring and maternal blood gases have been used during electroconvulsive therapy.