Psychological Wellbeing in the Perinatal Period

Perinatal
NHS Talking Therapies: Supporting your Wellbeing in Pregnancy and Beyond.

If you’re struggling with your mood in the perinatal period, please don’t wait to access support. We’re waiting to hear from you.

You can make a self referral by calling 024 7667 1090. Our referral advisors will take a few details and book you in for a triage appointment. This first appointment is usually over the telephone.

You can also complete a self -referral form to access support.

Perinatal Period Support

What do we mean by Perinatal Period?

The perinatal period is the time from when you become pregnant up until one year after giving birth. You might also have heard this called antenatal and postnatal.

How common is it to struggle at this time?

Research tells us that around 20% of women and 8% of men will struggle with their mood during this period; in reality we expect that rates are much higher
than this. Becoming a parent is a huge adjustment in our lives. As with any big life change, struggling with our emotional wellbeing is expected at this time, given the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes we might be facing. This is a massive adjustment for both parents. Our world transforms and there is a lot of uncertainty to cope with.

What do people struggle with?

Anxiety and worry, bonding difficulties, depression, low mood, struggles with body image, difficulty coping with traumatic births (sometimes called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Postnatal OCD. This isn’t an exhaustive list but outlines much of what we are commonly supporting people with.

What can NHS Talking Therapies offer?

SilverCloud: This is a digital mental health and wellbeing programme that can be accessed online. There is a programme specifically for expectant and new parents. It’s great for anyone who might need greater flexibility around how they access support.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Offered via telephone, video call or in person. You can meet one to one with a qualified therapist who will help you make sense of your difficulties, and teach you skills and coping techniques.

Post-natal Emotional Wellbeing Course: We offer an eight week course that supports parents in the post-natal period. The ethos of this course is ‘shared experience along with learning skills, techniques, and coping strategies’. This is delivered by our perinatal clinicians who have received additional training and supervision to ensure we offer support that is specific to this transition in your life.

Counselling for Depression: Counselling offers a safe space where you are able to explore your emotions, beliefs, and behaviours without fear of judgement.

What to expect from our service?

Expecting DadsEveryone who contacts NHS Talking Therapies will be offered an initial triage appointment within a few weeks. We talk to you about what you have been struggling with, and help you to decide if talking therapies can help. 

Lots of parents tell us they are worried about asking for help because they don’t want to be judged as being a bad parent, and sometimes even worry that baby will be taken away from them. Our service will listen openly to your concerns and you can expect a non-judgemental approach. We are here to support you on your parenting journey and help you to make sense of how you are feeling.

All parents are prioritised for therapy. So you can expect to get the right support, at the right time, with someone who is skilled to support your specific needs. You can even bring your baby along to your appointments.

Confidentiality: Your contact with us will be stored on a service specific computer database. Please ask if you have any questions.

Useful Websites

Parents in Mind logo

NCT Parents in Mind project provides safe, sensitive, and impactful perinatal mental health peer support, delivered by local parent volunteers.

Support line: 0300 330 0700

Practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers.

By Your SIde logo

By Your Side - holding your hand through perinatal mental illness, is a charity raising awareness of perinatal mental illness. Offering peer support to parents in Coventry & Warwickshire experiencing difficulties with their mental health in pregnancy or following the birth of a child.

By Your Side - holding your hand through perinatal mental illness | Facebook

BIRTH TRAUMA

www.birthtraumaassociation.org
www.makebirthbetter.org

BABY LOSS

www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
www.tommys.org
www.lilymaefoundation.org
https://thelauracentre.org.uk/

Other sources of support

Support with domestic violence: refuge.org.uk
Samaritans: Call 116 123
Parent coaches: Parentsactionforchildren.org
Gingerbread - information and support for single parent families: Call 0808 802 0925

What if I need immediate support?
Mental Health Access Hub: 
If you feel unsafe and require urgent support for your mental health (24 hour helpline): 08081 966 798

Coventry and Warwickshire Mental Health Helpline: 0800 616171

Solihull Mental Health Helpline: Call 0121 262 3555 or 0800 915 9292

Emotional Wellbeing for New and Expectant Dads

Expectant DadsNHS Talking Therapies: Looking after dads' mental health on the early parenting journey.

We appreciate how hard it is to seek support, but we are here to support you when you are ready.

You can make a self referral by calling 024 7667 1090. Our referral advisors will take a few details and book you in for a triage appointment. This first appointment is usually over the telephone.

You can also complete a  self-referral form  to access support.

Why is it important to care for your emotional wellbeing?

  • 10% of men will struggle with their mood during pregnancy or as a new dad.
  • This is twice as many as at other times in our life.
  • Dads aren’t routinely asked about their mental health, but the relationship a dad has with his baby is very important to the long-term health and wellbeing of the family.
  • Communication in relationships can become strained.
  • It’s easy to lose sight of your own needs and this can impact on your parenting journey.

What do people struggle with and why?

  • Stress
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Anxiety
  • Panic
  • Health anxiety
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (including birth trauma)
  • Low mood and depression

Why do dads struggle during this time?

  • Becoming a dad is a life-changing transition.
  • Building a close relationship with your baby is a unique experience.
  • There are often financial and practical pressures when adjusting to family life.

What can NHS Talking Therapies offer dads?

Couples Therapy for Depression: An evidence-based therapy that focuses on the relationship in the context of depression.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: This therapy is provided via telephone, video call or in person. You can meet one-to-one with a qualified therapist who will help you make sense of your difficulties and teach you skills and coping techniques.

Counselling for depression: Counselling offers a safe space where you are able to explore your emotions, beliefs and behaviours in a non-judgmental way.