NO DRUG THERAPY IN PRIMARY CARE (RECOGNITION & REFERRAL)
Pregnant patients presenting with severe fear or anxiety regarding pregnancy complications require empathetic active listening, validation of maternal concerns, and routine clinical and obstetric assessment (blood pressure, symphysis-fundal height, fetal heart tones). Provide structured antenatal education, normalize common pregnancy discomforts, and coordinate with obstetric services to provide continuity of care and clear safety nets. Screen for perinatal generalized anxiety disorder or depression (e.g., using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and offer perinatal mental health referral if anxiety impairs maternal functioning or daily activities. - Refer
Adult-only condition - paediatric section not applicable
No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care
Pregnant patients presenting with severe fear or anxiety regarding pregnancy complications require empathetic active listening, validation of maternal concerns, and routine clinical and obstetric assessment (blood pressure, symphysis-fundal height, fetal heart tones). Provide structured antenatal education, normalize common pregnancy discomforts, and coordinate with obstetric services to provide continuity of care and clear safety nets. Screen for perinatal generalized anxiety disorder or depression (e.g., using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and offer perinatal mental health referral if anxiety impairs maternal functioning or daily activities.
- RED FLAG - Spontaneous fluid leakage from the vagina (premature rupture of membranes): assess urgently and refer.
- RED FLAG - Severe persistent headache, visual disturbances, or epigastric pain (preeclampsia): assess urgently and refer.
- Make sure any real symptoms prompting the fear, such as bleeding or reduced fetal movements, are properly assessed before offering reassurance.
- No medicine is prescribed for this in primary care - this entry is for recognition and referral. Anything given is decided by the service it is referred to.