Pregnancy and childbirth also can be a trigger for women experiencing or acknowledging wider mental health problems for the first time. Sometimes the term ‘postnatal depression’ is used to refer to all mental health problems experienced by women in the perinatal period, but this can be misleading as it is just one of a number of conditions.
But don’t worry, there is a range of support available for women who are at risk of or are suffering from perinatal mental health problems. Depending on the level of support you need, we can help with community-based therapeutic support for women with mild and moderate conditions, through to medication and inpatient care for those with more severe illnesses.
Midwives are on hand to identify women who might need help with their perinatal mental health and to ensure that women and their families get the care they need at the earliest opportunity.
For more information or support, please contact your midwife.
Perinatal Mental Health
More than one in ten women will be affected by a mental illness during pregnancy or after the birth of their baby. The medical term ‘perinatal’ is used to describe the time period from before giving birth to the first weeks after you have given birth.
A wide range of mental health problems can occur at this important time in the lives of women and their families. These can include depression, anxiety disorders such as panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric illnesses.
A wide range of mental health problems can occur at this important time in the lives of women and their families. These can include depression, anxiety disorders such as panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric illnesses.
If you need urgent help
For urgent help please speak with your GP, or if you’re not feeling well and it’s the middle of the night and you can’t wait until your GPs surgery opens in the morning call NHS 24 – 111 or visit www.nhs24.scot.
For emergency help or for help in a crisis please call 999.
For emergency help or for help in a crisis please call 999.
