Perinatal Mental Health Information

There are several mental health conditions that come under the umbrella of perinatal mental health. Not all perinatal mental illnesses will require intervention from the team.

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There are a number of supports listed in the Useful Links and Local Support pages, for those who may not be eligible for access to the specialist services provided by the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Team.

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If you have concerns about your mental health, it is really important to reach out to a health care professional for advice and support.

Around 12% of pregnant women will experience antenatal depression/anxiety. If you are finding things difficult, please speak to your Midwife or GP who can signpost you to the right support for you.

Mental Health in Pregnancy

Baby blues is common and affects up to 80% of new mothers. It occurs within the first 2 weeks after birth. It differs from postnatal depression because it does not require intervention. You can feel low, anxious and tearful. Self-care during this time is important. Make sure you speak to someone so they can support you.

The Baby Blues - What to Expect 

Birth Trauma (PTSD) can occur after a traumatic birth experience and can affect partners too. Symptoms can include:-

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• reliving the birth with flashbacks, intrusive thoughts or nightmares.
• Being hypervigilant.
• Avoiding things that remind you of the trauma.
• Feeling low and unhappy.

The Birth Trauma Association (BTA)

Fathers’ mental health can also be affected by the birth of a baby, with around 10% experiencing postnatal depression. Fathers can also experience anxiety and PTSD in relation to becoming a father.

Dads Matter
Postnatal Depression in Men
 

Perinatal OCD is similar to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder but often with a focus on the baby. This is nothing to be ashamed of and there is support available to help you manage this. Symptoms can include some of the following:

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• Fear of contamination to the mother, child or anyone in contact with the child
• Intrusive thoughts and images.
• Doubts that harm could come to the child.

Perinatal OCD

Perinatal anxiety can present in different ways both physically and psychologically. Therapy like CBT can be helpful in managing your anxiety:-

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• panic attacks.
• anxiety and worries that keep coming into your mind and are difficult to stop or control.
• feeling irritable, restless or on edge.
• having tense muscles, a tight chest and heart palpitations.
• constantly checking baby.
   

Postnatal Depression and Perinatal Mental Health

Approximately 10-15% of new mothers will experience postnatal depression and you can recover. Some of the common symptoms:

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• feeling anxious or irritable
• difficulty sleeping or sleeping a lot.
• poor appetite (or comfort eating)
• guilty and negative thoughts
• being unable to enjoy things.
• feeling that life just isn't worth living.
• finding it hard to look after yourself and the baby.
• intrusive thoughts about harming yourself or your baby.
• feeling tearful.
• feeling detached.

Postnatal Depression

Postpartum Psychosis is a severe but treatable mental illness that affects approximately 1-2 in every 1000 births. It requires immediate treatment and intervention. It commonly occurs in the first few days and weeks after birth but can present later. Most women will require medication and inpatient treatment to help them recover.

What is Postpartum Psychosis?

Tokophobia is the fear of childbirth and can happen for a variety of reasons. It is important to speak to your health care professional if this is something you have concerns about and they will help you get the support you need.

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• Fear for the life of the infant and/or a lack of trust in medical practitioners
• Fear of birth-related complications, such as pre-eclampsia and death
• Fear of pain
• Fear of the unknown, loss of control and privacy
• Having a history of anxiety, depression, or childhood sexual abuse
• Hearing traumatic birth stories from friends or on social media
• Hormonal changes that make it harder to manage anxiety
• Psychosocial factors like getting pregnant at a young age, being impoverished, or lack of social support
• Uncertainty over the labour and birth process

Fear of Childbirth - Tokophobia