Perinatal mental health team

This is a specialist service in Worcestershire to help women at risk of developing, or experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties, during pregnancy and the year following childbirth. 

You can be referred to the service by any health and social care professional such as your GP, Obstetrician, Midwife or Health Visitor.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Health and social care professionals can refer direct to the team by email: whcnhs.worcsperinatalmentalhealth@nhs.net or phone: 01905 520195.

Unfortunately people are currently unable to self-refer to the service.

Becoming Families- Pregnancy and postnatal wellbeing support

There is 1:1 and group support available from Emotional Wellbeing | Becoming Families

Beacon

The new Beacon - Maternal Mental Health Service (MMHS) offers a service to women who are experiencing moderate, severe and complex mental health difficulties (or difficulties which are at a level that mean day to day life and/or the new parenting relationship is significantly affected) linked to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following birth trauma or perinatal loss, baby loss at any stage or a severe fear of childbirth. 

To find out more, visit: Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Online resources

Visit Tommy’s website to create a pregnancy and post-birth wellbeing plan

The BBC/CBeebies website has some great tips and advice for managing your mental health as a new parent: Mental health for new parents

Sign up for Start for Life emails for NHS trusted advice and support, tailored to your stage of pregnancy or baby's age: Start for Life emails - NHS

Both you and your baby will benefit from you having good mental health.

• for you: good mental health helps you feel more confident and enjoy your pregnancy
• for your baby: managing stress and mental health positively impacts your baby’s brain development and emotional well-being
• for your parent infant relationship: good mental health helps you feel more connected and responsive to your babies cues and needs

For further information, see: Your mental health - Start for Life

Understanding what you might experience can help you recognise when you need support, you may be experiencing:

• anxiety: persistent worry, racing thoughts, trouble sleeping
• depression: feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and disconnection from your baby
• PTSD: flashbacks or nightmares after a traumatic experience
• perinatal OCD: intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours
• Bipolar Disorder: extreme highs and lows that may require specialist care

For further information, see: Mental health problems and pregnancy - NHS

Feeling overwhelmed, tired and emotional at times is normal for any parent to be.

If you’re on your own and without a partner to help you, it can feel especially lonely and tough.

In England, 1 in 4 families are single parent, so there are lots of people raising happy, healthy babies without a partner.

Support for lone parents

To help support, you can:

• ask friends and family to help with practical things
• ask friends and family to be available if you need to talk
• prioritise self-care

Support groups and services

• Local baby groups, classes, activities and support
• Single parent support - Gingerbread
• Library events and activities

The transition to parenthood is a significant change in a person’s life and it is more common than you might think for mothers and partners to experience a range of emotions during this time. The majority of these difficulties resolve quickly, for instance, 50 to 80% of women experience baby blues at around 3 to 10 days after delivery and this comes and goes very quickly.

• Find care for your mental health before, during and after pregnancy - NHS
• Postnatal Depression Support – PANDAS Foundation UK