All relationships take time so don’t worry if it doesn’t feel easy straight away. If you are struggling, there are lots of organisations in place to support you.
If you feel you are struggling during pregnancy, it may be helpful to talk to your midwife. Speaking with your midwife might help you to understand more about what is around for you and whether any further support might be helpful.
Pregnancy, birth and the journey to becoming a parent are significant for everyone. It is natural to feel many different feelings at this time. This period of change can be more challenging if you are also experiencing other stressors, such as financial or housing difficulties, difficulties in your relationships, prior losses in your life, complications in your current or previous pregnancies or difficulties with your emotional well-being.
Taking time to share these with your midwife can allow you to think together about what may be around for you and consider further support as appropriate.
Further support
In NHS Tayside, the Perinatal Mental Health and Maternity and Neonatal teams offer more specialist support. Your GP or other health professional may refer you to these teams if they feel you need more help with your mental health.
Once your baby arrives your family nurse or health visitor can explore more support for you and your baby. Good mental health starts from birth, and babies need support to adapt to their environment, regulate their feelings, and explore and learn about the world around them. If needed, your health professional might explore further specialist support from the above specialist teams, or the Infant Mental Health team. The support babies need is provided by those closest to them, so it's important that we support you to support them.
Once your baby arrives your family nurse or health visitor can explore more support for you and your baby. Good mental health starts from birth, and babies need support to adapt to their environment, regulate their feelings, and explore and learn about the world around them. If needed, your health professional might explore further specialist support from the above specialist teams, or the Infant Mental Health team. The support babies need is provided by those closest to them, so it's important that we support you to support them.
The perinatal mental health network pathways is a useful guide for support in Scotland so you know what care to expect.
In Dundee we are lucky to also have third sector organisations who are supporting families.
Home-Start Dundee
Home-start Dundee support families with a child under 5 and have volunteers who can offer regular practical and emotional support, with a range of social and support groups. They also run ‘Breast Buddies’ groups for support with feeding after baby arrives.
Dundee International Women's Centre
Dundee International Women’s Centre support all women in Dundee. The Mellow Bumps group offers support to parents in pregnancy, while Flourish and Toddler plus one support parents post birth.