Perinatal mental health problems affect between 10% to 20% of women during pregnancy and the first year after having a baby.
Many people think of pregnancy as a happy and exciting time. Whilst this is true for many women, it is not true for everyone. Pregnancy can stir up many feelings and it is quite normal to have a wide range of different feelings during your pregnancy.
You may feel:
- Excitement and a feeling of accomplishment
- Happy one minute and crying the next
- A sense that the pregnancy is not real for the first few weeks or months
- Scared about how your pregnancy and life will change
- Worried about how you will cope when the baby arrives
- Concerned how the pregnancy and the baby will affect your relationship with your partner
- Uncomfortable with your changing body and weight gain
- Worried about labour and birth
- You may feel lonely or isolated
- Unsure about being pregnant, especially if the pregnancy was unplanned.
All the above feelings are normal. Pregnancy is a time of enormous change to your body, hormones, lifestyle, relationships and your future.
If you experience any of the following thoughts or feelings, it is important you talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor.
- You are worrying more than usual
- You have been feeling anxious
- You are less interested in your usual activities
- You have been feeling low in mood, sad, irritable or hopeless.
Some women experience or are at an increased chance of experiencing more significant mental health conditions during pregnancy and after having a baby and may be referred to the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service. If you have previously experienced psychosis, bipolar disorder or severe depression, anxiety or OCD please inform your midwife or health visitor. For further details about Northamptonshire Perinatal Mental Health Services, please click here. The website explains who the service is for and how to access the services.