New and expecting parent support

Struggling emotionally during or after pregnancy? You are not alone.

Pregnancy and the period after childbirth are times of significant change and transition. It’s completely normal for mothers and their partners to experience a wide range of emotions during this time.

Some women may face serious mental health challenges during pregnancy or after giving birth, even if they’ve never had difficulties before. This can also be true for partners. We understand that reaching out for support can feel daunting, but we want to reassure you that struggling with your mental health does not mean you’re a risk to your child or that you’re not a good parent. In fact, seeking help during this period is recognised by services as a sign of great strength.

If you, or your partner are pregnant or have had a baby in the past year, and you're experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, Talking Therapies will prioritise your treatment.

Common symptoms

Postnatal depression

Developing depression after having a baby, or while pregnant, is more common than many people realise. But with the right support and treatment, you can get better.

Some common signs:

  • Down, upset or tearful
  • Restless, agitated or irritable
  • Guilty, worthless and down on yourself
  • Empty and numb
  • Isolated and unable to relate to other people

But having mental health problems is not your fault. You can ask for help, and treatment is available. 

Perinatal anxiety

Perinatal anxiety is anxiety that you experience before or after giving birth.

If it's while you're pregnant, this is antenatal or prenatal anxiety. If it's in the year after giving birth, this is postnatal or postpartum anxiety. Some people may experience both. 

Some common signs:

  • A churning feeling in your stomach
  • Feeling light-headed or dizzy
  • Pins and needles
  • Feeling restless or unable to sit still
  • Headaches, backache or other aches and pains

Lots of people are aware that you can become depressed after having a baby. But many parents also experience anxiety during pregnancy and after giving birth. It's common to experience depression and anxiety together.

Perinatal OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. Perinatal OCD is when you experience OCD during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth.

Some examples of perinatal compulsions:

  • Excessive washing of clothes, toys or bottles
  • Keeping your baby away from other people in case they hurt them or contaminate them
  • Constantly checking your baby – for example, waking them up when they're asleep to check on them
  • Repeatedly asking people around you for reassurance that your baby hasn't been hurt or abused

It can be hard to open up and talk to someone about your obsessions or compulsions. But there are treatments and support options which may help.

Birth trauma and PTSD

Birth trauma happens when we go through a frightening, stressful or distressing event which is related to giving birth. It can develop into postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a type of anxiety disorder. 

Witnessing traumatic events can also lead to symptoms of PTSD, so partners can experience it too.

Signs and symptoms of postnatal PTSD:

  • Re-living aspects of the trauma
  • Alertness or feeling on edge
  • Avoiding feelings or memories
  • Difficult beliefs and feelings

Postpartum psychosis

If you are experiencing postpartum psychosis, contact Urgent Help immediately.

Postpartum psychosis is a serious but rare mental health problem. It can develop after you give birth. It's sometimes called puerperal or postnatal psychosis.

The symptoms of postpartum psychosis usually start quite suddenly, within a few weeks after you give birth.

This means you might feel:

  • Excited or elated (manic)
  • Restless
  • Severely depressed
  • Anxious or irritable
  • Paranoid or suspicious of other people
  • Confused or disorientated

Signposting and online resources

There are online resources which can support your journey.

Herefordshire:

Worcestershire:

National:

Solihull Approach Online Parenting courses

Courses such as understanding pregnancy, labour, birth and your birth in a range of languages have been developed by registered professionals within the NHS, working with practitioners and parents to develop new resources to support emotional health and wellbeing in children, families, and adults.

Support for partners

Many dads and partners share similar experiences during the perinatal journey, and it's important to know that you're not alone.

You may encounter a range of challenges and emotions during this time, such as:

  • Trouble bonding with baby (pre or post birth)
  • Post natal depression
  • PTSD symptoms from a traumatic birth
  • Intrusive thoughts
  • Perinatal anxiety
  • Struggles with adjustment to parenthood
  • Financial worries
  • Changes in relationships

You can still self-refer to Talking Therapies if you are struggling, even if the birthing parent is not.

There is other support available:

Find out more

If you, or your partner are pregnant or have had a baby in the past year, and you're experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, Talking Therapies will prioritise your treatment.

Self-refer to Talking Therapies or get in touch to find out more:

Alternatively speak to your GP or other healthcare worker who can help you access the service.

You can also talk to your midwife, health visitor, or GP if you are struggling to have positive feelings about your unborn baby or worried about how you are feeling.

Urgent help support

If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact the Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24 hour urgent mental health helpline by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.