Page last updated: 01/05/2023 | Available in Welsh (ar gael yn Gymraeg)
Mental health problems during pregnancy or following childbirth are common. Some women have a previous mental health condition that can be exacerbated by pregnancy or having a baby. For others, they may experience a mental health problem for the very first time.
Whatever your situation, please remember that health professionals such as GPs, midwives, health visitors and mental health services are available to help you (see below).
So please don’t wait to call them if you are concerned about symptoms.
Don’t forget that our mental health and wellbeing tips may be useful and a good place to start if you notice you are feeling anxious or have a low mood.
1) KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
There are different mental health problems with differing symptoms, and you or a loved one may not even realise that what you’re experiencing could be an illness.
To help you spot signs that you or a loved one may need help, please consider the following questions[1]:
1. Do you/they have new feelings and thoughts which you/they have never had before, and which make you/them disturbed or anxious?
2. Are you/they experiencing thoughts of suicide or harming yourself/themselves in violent ways?
3. Are you/they thinking they are a bad mum, as though you/they can’t cope, or feeling disconnected from the baby?
4. Do you feel you/they are getting worse?
If you or a loved one answer(s) ‘Yes’ to any of the above, please contact one of the support services below and get the professional help you need.
2) GET HELP
If you are concerned about your mental health, or the mental health of someone you know, it is important to either:
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- Talk to a health professional, eg your own GP, midwife, health visitor or therapy service
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- Call the emergency services on 999
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- Go to the A&E department at your local hospital
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- Call the Samaritans on 116 123 (free to call and will not appear on your phone bill), or email jo@samaritans.org
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- Call Lifeline (Northern Ireland only) on 0808 808 8000 (free of charge)
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- Access mental health services
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3) FIND MORE INFORMATION AND ADVICE
The really good news is that we know how to treat mental health conditions during pregnancy or after birth. It is important to speak out as early as possible if you or your loved one have any symptoms that concern you, and it’s best to get treated early. You or others that care for you may be concerned about speaking out, but there are specialist perinatal mental health teams in parts of the UK who are uniquely trained to support a mother’s recovery from perinatal mental health problems, with her baby. Please remember that speaking out is a sign of strength and a way of looking after yourself, which in turn will help take care of your baby. In this short video, Consultant perinatal psychiatrist Dr Alain Gregoire talks to Ruth (Bluebell) and Maria (Maternal OCD) about what specialist mental health support is available for mums and the importance of reaching out. With thanks to Best Beginnings for their support in editing this film and sharing via the Baby Buddy App.
Please note that the MMHA is not responsible for the content of any of the links above but hopes that they may provide comfort and help at this time.
4) ALWAYS REMEMBER: EXPERT HELP IS AVAILABLE
With the right help, you can recover