Pregnancy and birth are major events in the life of a woman and her family. Midwives provide care for women throughout pregnancy and childbirth and are the lead health professional for those women whose pregnancies are uncomplicated.
Perinatal mental health problems are those which occur during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of your baby. Perinatal mental health is an umbrella term that covers a range of conditions such as antenatal/postnatal Depression or Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Postpartum Psychosis.
It's not known why some babies die suddenly and for no apparent reason from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or cot death.
To reduce the risk of SIDS:
Screening tests are offered during pregnancy to try to find any health conditions that you or your baby may have. The tests – ultrasound scans, blood tests and a questionnaire – can help you make choices about care or treatment during pregnancy or after your baby is born.
If you’re trying for a baby there are things you can do to help make sure you have a safe and comfortable pregnancy and that your child is healthy. Think about the lifestyle factors that might affect your ability to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy. This applies to men too. You are more likely to get pregnant if you are both in good health.