The arrival of a new baby can be a time of immense joy and excitement, signifying possibility and hope for the future. But it can also be a time of fear, overwhelm and trepidation. The perinatal period, covering pregnancy and the first year following childbirth can trigger episodes of declining mental health as we experience significant psychological, physiological and hormonal changes. The roller-coaster from woman to mother impacts our identity, sense of self, and our relationship with our body, partner and the world.i
It is no surprise that an estimated 1 in 5 women experiences some form of mental health issue during pregnancy or in the first year after birth.ii
In the last year, the number of new and expectant mums receiving specialist support for mental health problems was more than 57,000, up a third from 2022.iii
Despite this, the emotional and psychological well-being of women during this period is an often overlooked aspect of maternal and mental health. There is little mention of mental health during antenatal classes, with the main focus on birth plans and pain management.
A woman may give birth on a Monday, be discharged on Tuesday, and by Wednesday be home without the necessary support to safeguard her mental health. She may feel alone and overwhelmed by the task ahead. By day 12, she might be expected to ‘hold the baby’ when the partner returns to work.
That can be a terrifying tipping point when she is left entirely alone. Just her and this tiny baby. And the thoughts:
“what if I’m not good enough?”
“what if I drop him?”
“what if they realise I’m not fit to be a mother and he’s taken away”.
There are many manifestations of perinatal mental health conditions, ranging from depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD and post-birth trauma, and postpartum psychosis. Some women will experience mental health problems for the first time, while others may have a pre-existing mental health condition. Having prior mental health problems can increase the risk of becoming unwell during pregnancy and after birth. It can be challenging to identify that you are experiencing mental health issues because it’s your first time as a parent. You may think that this is ‘normal’ in the circumstances. This can make it even more difficult to identify the need for help and ask for it.
Many women feel pressure to uphold the societal expectation of being a “perfect” mother. They are hesitant to admit that they are struggling emotionally. This stigma can prevent women from seeking the help and support they need.
That’s why perinatal mental health isn’t just a ‘women’s issue’. It’s also for partners, family members, friends, and the wider community to spot the signs. We all need to raise awareness so fewer women are left alone in this sleep-deprived, messy time. Raising awareness about perinatal mental health is essential in breaking the stigma and promoting early detection and intervention.
Raising Awareness in the Workplace
TRaising awareness in the workplace can be crucial for both expectant mothers and those returning from maternity leave. By openly discussing the challenges that women may face during the perinatal period, workplaces and the wider community can create a more supportive environment for new mothers.
So, what can your organisation do to raise awareness of maternal health in the workplace?
- If you have an employee network, bring a speaker in to talk about the subject or ask an employee to share their experience in a blog.
- Ensure that, when women are preparing for maternity leave, they are given sign-posting about perinatal mental health services.
- Offer women the option of ‘keeping in touch days’ during their maternity leave to keep them connected with the working world.
- When planning to return to work after maternity, provide women with sign-posting to workplace resources and benefits (such as an Employee Assistance Programme, health insurance, or an employee network).
- Consider offering a ‘transition buddy’, a workplace mentor that can support the transition back to work.
- For those experiencing complex or severe mental health challenges, consider what adjustments can be put in place. or example, enabling hybrid/remote working may help the person to manage childcare arrangements, or review job responsibilities to reduce more stressful tasks – such as reducing phone calls or customer-facing work.
What support is available from healthcare providers and community groups?
The NHS reports that it currently has 40 Maternal Mental Health Services across England for women experiencing moderate to severe and complex problems. Staff include psychologists and midwives, who can help with a range of issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder following birth trauma, perinatal loss or those with a severe fear of childbirth. The service is accessed via a referral from the GP, midwife or health visitor.
There are number of free Talking Therapy options available on the NHS, including Congitive Behavioural Therapy and Councelling. You can self-refer to the NHS Talking Therapy service, or via the GP.
There are also various support networks out there, such as:
- The Birth Trauma Association, providing peer support for postnatal PTSD.
- PANDASruns support groups for perinatal mental health problems.
- OCD Action has an online perinatal OCD support group.
- The Association for Post Natal Illness (APNI)offers support to anyone affected by postnatal depression.
- Postpartum Support International runs a Queer & Trans Parent Support Group
Support
What support is available from healthcare providers and community groups?
The NHS reports that it currently has 40 Maternal Mental Health Services across England for women experiencing moderate to severe and complex problems. Staff include psychologists and midwives, who can help with a range of issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder following birth trauma, perinatal loss or those with a severe fear of childbirth. The service is accessed via a referral from the GP, midwife or health visitor.
There are number of free Talking Therapy options available on the NHS, including Congitive Behavioural Therapy and Councelling. You can self-refer to the NHS Talking Therapy service, or via the GP.
References
[1] Whilst using the terms ‘woman’ and ‘mother’, we recognise that there will be those in the LGBTQ+ community who experience pregnancy and birth, and who may not identify with the gendered term ‘woman’. We recognise that pregnancy and the perinatal period uniquely impacts the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+individuals, largely due to systems-level inequities and exclusion from perinatal care. For further reading see: phe_perinatal-care-of-lgbtqplus-individuals_290621-timings.pdf (yhphnetwork.co.uk)
[111] NHS England » Record numbers of women accessing perinatal mental health support
Get in touch with Deborah
About the author
Dr. Deborah Leveroy is Head of Research and Consultancy. Deborah has a PhD in Dyslexia, inclusion and performer training from the University of Kent.
Her research is published by Routledge in peer-reviewed journals and edited collections. Current research interests include Neuroinclusive return to work practices and remote working. Previous roles include Disability Advisor for Remploy’s BBC workplace adjustment contract, Strategy Coach and Workplace Needs Assessor for PAM occupational health and Study Skills Tutor for several DSA providers.
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