Mental wellbeing in pregnancy

This page is for:

• Pregnant women, birthing people
• Fathers and partners
• Families and carers
• Healthcare professionals 

Having a child is a big life event, and it’s natural to experience a range of emotions and reactions during and after your pregnancy. But if these emotions start to have a negative impact on your daily life, you might be experiencing a perinatal mental health problem.

Perinatal mental health issues complicating pregnancy and the first postpartum year are common, with 10-20% of women developing mental ill health during this period. It is a significant public health issue and if left untreated, can have a devastating impact not only on the woman affected but also on her family unit. 

The ‘perinatal period’ is the name given to the period during pregnancy and up to one year after birth.

For more, access Perinatal mental health: Information for women and families.

Looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Support is available, and you don’t have to manage on your own.

How you might feel

During pregnancy, hormones, life changes and expectations can all affect your mood. It’s common to experience:

• Mood swings or feeling more emotional than usual
• Worry about your baby, your health or the future
• Feeling tired, stressed or overwhelmed
• Changes in sleep or appetite

For some people, these feelings can become more persistent or difficult to manage. If this happens, it’s important to talk to someone and seek support early.

Common mental health concerns in pregnancy

Some people may experience:

Anxiety

You may feel constantly worried, find it hard to relax, or have racing thoughts.

Low mood or depression

You may feel sad, empty, or lose interest in things you usually enjoy.

Perinatal mental health conditions

These include more severe conditions that can develop during pregnancy or after birth. These are treatable, and help is available.

There are Perinatal Mental Health Teams in each HSC Trust area and there are two groups of women who would be referred to their local Perinatal Mental Health Team for support:

• Women with a pre-existing mental health problem (such as bipolar disorder or previous postpartum psychosis). These women, although currently well, are considered to be at risk of relapse or recurrence of their illness in pregnancy or, more commonly, the postnatal period.
• Women who develop a significant episode of illness in association with the perinatal period. A number of these women may present with rapidly deteriorating illness, requiring urgent assessment by mental health services, particularly if they present within the first six weeks postnatal.

For women who are experiencing mild symptoms of mental health problems and do not fall under the above criteria of women referred to Perinatal mental health HSC Trust teams other support is available which may involve:

• Onward referral to other mental health services
• Specialist midwifery clinic for enhanced care
• Psychology referral
• Health visitor (if more than 24 weeks gestation)
• Community and voluntary sector
• Self-help resources

Click here for easy read version of Perinatal mental health services HSCT teams.

What can help

There are simple steps you can take to support your wellbeing:

Talk about how you feel

• Share your thoughts with your partner, family or a trusted friend
• Speak to your midwife or GP — they are there to support you

Take care of yourself

• Try to rest when you can
• Eat regular, balanced meals
• Stay active with gentle exercise, such as walking

Make time for yourself

• Do things you enjoy
• Practice relaxation, breathing exercises or mindfulness

Stay connected

• Keep in touch with people who make you feel supported
• Join antenatal groups or community supports if available

Women can develop perinatal mental health problems at any time, no matter what age you are or how many pregnancies you have had. 

The majority of women are managed by their GP, health visitor and/or midwife, including those with mild to moderate depression, anxiety and other conditions. They may not require medication and will often respond to psychological and/or social support. Women with more significant illness may require medication only or medication with the addition of psychological and social support.

Perinatal mental health covers a range of conditions during pregnancy and the first year after birth. Depression and anxiety are the most common conditions - approximately 10-20% of women and up to 10% of fathers or partners, will experience a perinatal mental health problem.

If your thoughts, feelings or emotions are affecting your daily life during pregnancy or after your baby is born, support is available.

There is a spectrum of ill health, with symptoms ranging from mild to moderate low mood/ anxiety through to more serious illnesses such as post-partum psychosis. 

The majority of women detected will experience mild to moderate symptoms. and can be helped with increased support from:

• family,
• midwife
• GP
• primary care services
• health visitor, family nurse 
• obstetrician 

• It’s okay not to feel okay
• Asking for help is a sign of strength
• Support is available, and recovery is possible

Taking care of your mental wellbeing helps you and your baby.