Care and treatment

Severe depression and/or severe anxiety (including tokophobia – fear of childbirth)

This may be a pre-existing condition or have first arisen during pregnancy or postnatally.

Bipolar disorder

Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder

Other non-organic psychotic illness

Eating disorders

Personality disorders

Postpartum psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is a sudden and severe mental illness that begins in the first few days or weeks after having a baby. If you have concerns that you, or someone you know is experiencing postpartum psychosis you should seek immediate, same day support

Attachment disorders during pregnancy and with infants under one year old

Problems and difficulties with the bond between mum and baby during and after pregnancy

For women with pre-existing mental health conditions before pregnancy

Pre-conception mental health assessment and medication advice and reviews

For women who are pregnant one or more of the following treatment options may be offered.

Preventative care for those at high risk of becoming unwell

Pre-birth planning

Medication advice and monitoring

Co-ordination of care and support from specialist perinatal nurses / occupational therapists / mental health social workers

Psychological assessment and treatment (talking therapies)

For women with babies up to one year old one or more of the following options may be offered.

Ongoing mental health review including medication monitoring

Continued co-ordination of care and support from specialist perinatal nurses / occupational therapists / mental health social workers

Working in partnership with families and children’s care where there are issues of safeguarding or additional needs, including attendance at core group meetings, Child in Need meetings and the Early Help process.

Nursery-nurse support with parent-infant bonding and role adaptation

Video Interactive Guidance – an evidence-based video intervention that supports mums and babies to build their relationship and confidence.

Carers’ assessments and some practical support from our support worker

The occupational therapists in our team support mums with adjustment to motherhood, changes to their role and identity and make links in their local communities to support ongoing recovery.

We run perinatal wellbeing groups for post-natal women under our care.

For women who may not currently need our direct input we signpost to appropriate specialist or community services

We work very closely with colleagues in other specialist services and with the wider perinatal network to ensure that there are no barriers to women rapidly accessing our program should they need it. 

For other professionals

We offer advice, support and training to other mental health teams, health visiting, midwifery and social services