Postnatal depression and perinatal mental health
Find out about mental health issues that can arise during pregnancy and after the birth of your child. This includes advice on managing ongoing mental health concerns during this period.
Find out about mental health issues that can arise during pregnancy and after the birth of your child. This includes advice on managing ongoing mental health concerns during this period.
Jump to a section:
Having a baby is a significant life event, and it’s completely normal to experience a variety of emotions. However, if these emotions begin to interfere with your daily activities, you may be dealing with a perinatal mental health issue.
This might be a new mental health condition or a recurrence of a previous issue.
Recognising perinatal mental health problems can be challenging, particularly for first-time parents.
Some symptoms might initially seem like normal parts of parenthood, which can make it harder to realise when it’s time to seek assistance.
Some individuals may also face issues with eating during and after pregnancy. The pregnancy charity Tommy’s provides information about eating disorders during this time.
‘Perinatal’ refers to the period from the beginning of pregnancy to about a year after childbirth.
You might also come across these terms:
‘Antenatal’ or ‘prenatal’, which means ‘before birth’. This covers the time during your pregnancy.
‘Postnatal’ or ‘postpartum’, meaning ‘after birth’. This relates to the first year following childbirth.
If you have a mental health condition and become pregnant, it’s important to discuss this with your doctor as soon as possible. This is also advisable if you’re considering becoming pregnant.
You might speak to your GP or any other medical professional involved in your mental health care, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
This is crucial because having mental health issues can increase the likelihood of becoming unwell during pregnancy and after giving birth, particularly if you have had severe depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder.
Your doctor can assist you in planning how to manage your mental health during pregnancy and consider any additional support you may need.
If you’re on medication, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you. They will also explain how to handle your medication during pregnancy and after your baby is born.
In certain instances, your doctor might advise you to stop taking specific medications to ensure a safe pregnancy. If you choose to discontinue medication, or if your doctor recommends it, it’s crucial to do so safely, with your doctor’s support.
If you’ve had mental health issues around a previous pregnancy, there’s an increased risk of becoming unwell again, especially if you’ve experienced postpartum psychosis. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen.
Having been unwell before, you might feel anxious about having another baby. Yet, you may also feel more confident in how to take care of yourself and be better at recognising any signs of becoming unwell.
If you are planning to get pregnant, or if you are already pregnant, it’s important to speak to your doctor as soon as you can. You can discuss ways to manage your mental health and the support you might need during this time.
Your doctor can also refer you to a perinatal psychiatrist, who is a specialist in supporting pregnant or women who have recently given birth, with mental health concerns.
Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) provides a range of guides on postpartum psychosis, including advice on planning a pregnancy if you are at high risk of developing the condition.
If you’ve recently had a baby, discussing your feelings might seem challenging. You may feel:
Remember, having mental health issues is not your fault.
If you find yourself having thoughts about harming your baby, it can be extremely distressing.
However, it’s important to remember that having these thoughts does not mean you will harm your baby. They can be indicators of perinatal depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
You might feel hesitant to share these feelings, but the more you talk about them, the sooner you can access support. This could involve speaking to a family member or friend, or to a healthcare professional such as your doctor or midwife.
You might feel anxious about sharing your feelings, concerned that it could lead to your baby being taken from you. However, experiencing mental health issues and seeking support does not make you a poor parent, nor does it mean you can’t look after your baby.
It’s important to speak to your GP, midwife, or health visitor as soon as you can. They are there to ensure you receive the support you need.
Your baby would only be taken into care under severe conditions, such as if social services deemed there was a risk of serious harm or neglect. Remember, healthcare professionals are there to support you, not to judge.
Talk with a trained professional about your thoughts and feelings with out free counselling and private counselling service for people over the age of 18.