How having a baby can affect your mental health
Having a baby can be an exciting and meaningful stage of life which may come with a fair amount of worry, anxiety, and stress.
A healthy amount of concern can be good and helps you to adequately prepare for your new role as a parent. However, for some people, this concern can get out of hand and wellbeing may suffer unnecessarily, particularly for those who may struggle to reach out for help.
It’s important to be aware of how you are feeling and to look after your mental health around this period of pregnancy and after the birth.
- Around 1 in 5 women will experience mental health problems during or after pregnancy.
- 70% will hide or underplay the severity of their illness.
- Psychological support is prioritised for those experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy or for anyone with a baby under the age of one year old. – which means you’ll be prioritised when reaching out to our service.
Recognising perinatal mental health issues
Do you relate to any of the following statements?
If these statements sound like thoughts you've had, you're not the first person to think them. They may be a sign that you're struggling with anxiety or depression as a result of your pregnancy or the recent birth of your baby.
It's good to talk
If you are having any issues with your mental health around having a baby, we really encourage you to talk to someone as soon as possible. We understand that you may find it hard to reach out for help for a variety of reasons. Our trust recently did some research, asking new mums ‘why didn't you feel able to talk about the emotional or mental health problems you wanted to?'
Source: NHS SCFT Perinatal Mental Health training
If you have concerns about reaching out, we can assure you that you’re not alone. Talking therapies can help you make sense of your feelings and feel better equipped in parenthood.
Accessing talking therapies
If you are struggling in any way with your mental health around the time of pregnancy or within the first year of becoming a new parent, please reach out to us. We are here to help. Talking therapies can help to prioritise your wellbeing, so you can make the most of this special time in your life.