Articles

Key takeaways

• It is normal to feel overwhelmed during pregnancy and after birth.
• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not a weakness.
• Speak to your GP, midwife, or health visitor for support.
• Help is available for your mental, physical, financial, and practical needs.

It's okay to ask for help

Emotional highs and lows are a natural part of pregnancy and becoming a parent. It is an enormous change that takes time to get used to. Many people worry about how they will cope or whether they will be a good enough parent.

You are not alone if you feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster. Mental health conditions like stress and anxiety are common in pregnancy. Up to 1 in 5 women and birthing people develop mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year after childbirth.

It can be tough to accept that you are feeling low when you expect to feel happy. Asking for help shows you know you need to look after yourself.

Health professionals can work together to ensure you and your baby get the support you both need. Looking after yourself is important for both you and your baby, so seeking help is a positive step.

There is treatment and support available. The sooner you get help, the sooner you will start to feel like yourself again. You will not be judged for how you feel.

Support for your mental and emotional wellbeing

If you are concerned about your mental health, it is important to talk to a health professional.

This could be your GP, midwife, or health visitor. You could also speak to a therapy service. These professionals are trained to help and can offer understanding and guidance.

Talking to healthcare professionals

Your GP can discuss your treatment options and support. They can also refer you to services and prescribe medication if needed.

Your health visitor can offer support for looking after your baby and managing your mental health. They can also tell you about other services in your area.

Accessing therapy and counselling

You can refer yourself directly to free NHS therapy or counselling services in England. In England, these services will prioritise women in pregnancy and after birth (postnatally). In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, your GP can refer you.

Some people choose private counselling. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy has a directory of qualified counsellors. Counselling can provide a safe space to voice your worries, help you learn coping mechanisms and offer perspectives that can be helpful.

Specialist charities and helplines

Many charities and organisations offer emotional support for new parents and their families. This support can include confidential helplines, email, or online chat. WhatsApp services are also available.

Here are some organisations that can help:

• PANDAS Foundation – 0808 1961 776, pandasfoundation.org.uk. Information and support for parents experiencing a mental health problem during or after pregnancy.
• Maternal Mental Health Alliance – This charity helps ensure families affected by mental health problems during pregnancy and after birth (perinatal mental health problems) have access to good care.
• Mind – This mental health charity provides information and support, including local groups and an online chatroom. They also offer specific information about anxiety during pregnancy or after birth (perinatal anxiety) and mental health.
• Anxiety UK – 03444 775 774, anxietyuk.org.uk. Advice and support for people living with anxiety.
• The Association for postnatal Illness – 020 7386 0868, apni.org. Support for women experiencing depression after birth (such as postnatal depression).
• Birth Trauma Association – birthtraumaassociation.org. Support for anyone affected by birth trauma, including partners.
• Bliss – bliss.org.uk. Information and support for parents of babies born premature or sick.
• Cry-sis – 0800 448 0737, cry-sis.org.uk. Information and support for parents with crying and sleepless babies.
• Family Action – 0808 802 6666, family-action.org.uk. Supports families of any kind, including with mental health problems.
• Family Lives – 0808 800 2222, familylives.org.uk. Information and support for parents and families.
• Home-Start – home-start.org.uk. Support for families with young children, including details of local services.
• Hub of Hope – hubofhope.co.uk. A UK-wide mental health service database to find local support.
• Maternal OCD – maternalocd.org. Information and support for people experiencing obsessive-compulsive disorder during pregnancy or after birth (perinatal OCD).
• National Childbirth Trust (NCT) – 0300 330 0700, nct.org.uk. Information, support, and classes for parents.
• No Panic – 0300 7729844, nopanic.org.uk. Helpline and support for people with anxiety disorders.
• OCD Action – 0300 636 5478, ocdaction.org.uk. Information and support for people affected by OCD.

Looking after your physical recovery

If a physical problem is bothering you, ask a GP or health visitor for help at any time. They can advise you and refer you to a specialist if necessary. Your postnatal check at around 6 to 8 weeks after the birth is a good time to talk to your GP about any physical or mental health problems.

Common physical concerns

• Pain that is not going away – Talk to your GP, who may refer you to a specialist.
• Bleeding – Tell your midwife, health visitor, or GP if you notice that your bleeding is very heavy or gets heavier. Report any clots, bad-smelling discharge or bleeding, or if you are feeling unwell.
• Sore or uncomfortable stitches – Tell your midwife, who can advise on pain relief and can assess you for any signs of infection. Consult a pharmacist, midwife, or GP before buying over-the-counter painkillers if you are breastfeeding.
• Pelvic floor problems – Pelvic floor exercises can help. If they are not helping, tell your GP at your postnatal check. Your GP may refer you to a physiotherapist.
• Piles – Talk to a midwife or pharmacist if you feel very uncomfortable. They can recommend creams and ointments to soothe piles.
• Constipation – Talk to your midwife or GP if constipation will not go away. A gentle stool softener may help.
• Bowel or bladder control issues – Tell your midwife or GP if poo is leaking or you are pooing when you do not mean to. Your doctor or health visitor can provide help and support if you are having trouble with holding wind or holding in your urine.

Finding financial and practical assistance

It is a good idea to get advice on benefits during your pregnancy. The benefits system is complicated, and expert advice can help you apply and ensure you get the benefits you are entitled to.

Government benefits

• Jobcentre Plus – If you think you are on a low income, make an appointment to talk to someone at your local Jobcentre Plus office. They can help you work out what benefits you can get and how to apply.
• Universal Credit – This is a payment to help with your living costs if you are on a low income. Whether you can get it depends on your income and savings.
• Best Start Foods – In Scotland, this helps eligible people to buy healthy foods. Payments are loaded every four weeks onto a pre-paid card, and you can apply during pregnancy; your midwife can provide more information.
• Housing Benefit – You can find further information on GOV.UK.
• Support for Mortgage Interest – You might be able to get a loan to help with mortgage interest repayments if you receive certain benefits. This loan must be repaid with interest when you sell your home; further information is on GOV.UK.
• Council Tax Reduction – You might be eligible for help with paying your council tax if your income is low or you receive certain benefits. Further information is on GOV.UK.
• Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme – You might be able to get help with transport costs to hospital, depending on your circumstances.

Local council and community support

• Family Information Service (FIS) – The Family Information Service (FIS) provides information for parents, including details on local childcare services. Contact your local council to find out if these services are available in your area.
• Advice centres – These are not-for-profit agencies that give advice on issues like benefits and housing. You can search online for organisations such as Citizens Advice, community law centres, and welfare rights offices.
• Welfare rights officers – Some local authorities have welfare rights officers. Phone your social services department and ask.
• Voluntary organisations – Many voluntary organisations are happy to help with advice on benefits and rights at work. Examples of these are Gingerbreadand Working Families.

Charitable organisations

Many charities may be able to help you by providing money, equipment, or other support. Some charities have a general brief to help families in hard times. Others support particular groups, such as children or people with specific disabilities.

• Turn2Us – This organisation can help you find charities and local foundations that donate money to families in times of need. They have a grants search to help you access resources quickly.
• Organisations linked to your work – Think about whether you have links to trade unions, professional associations, or the armed services. Many of them have benevolent funds.
• Faith groups – Your local parish, synagogue, or mosque might be able to help. Your local temple might also be able to offer you support.