Maternal Mental Health Week

It is so exciting that maternal mental health week #maternalMHmatters is here. Like others, I hope it will raise awareness about maternal mental health and highlight that it is equally important as physical health.

Women face pressure at each stage of the journey from considering conception to bringing up a child and this can trigger mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. Women can also get conditions that are specific to being mothers for example postnatal depression or postnatal psychosis. In addition, women with pre-existing mental health conditions may become pregnant and have children and will need consideration of this during their journey e.g. managing medications during pregnancy.

I hope that maternal mental health week will help highlight to women that they are not alone if any of these mental health issues arise for them and that there is help available. I would encourage them to discuss their concern with a midwife, doctor, health visitor, mental health nurse, psychiatrist or other healthcare professional that they trust. The healthcare professional should then be able to signpost the person to the right service for them. In each geographical region services will be different and its important the woman finds the right service for them.

In addition, this time can be difficult for partners, children, parents, friends or carers of these women and I think its important these people are also supported and feel able to ask for help. They, too can ask a healthcare professional for advice.

Here are a few UK based websites that may provide support;

Maternal Mental Health Alliance Campaign Website

NHS website on mental health in pregnancy

Guardian Article providing women’s stories of maternal mental health issues

There are many other sites out there but I hope this sets you off on the right track. Please do let me know if there are any others that you think should be added to the list and why.

I hope this article supports women and their friends/family feel empowered to get the support they require.

Any questions or comments do get in touch @PregnaPouch or PregnaPouch@gmail.com.

Best wishes and Good Luck

The PregnaPouch team

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