mental health during the perinatal period 

Pregnancy and the early months after birth – known as the perinatal period – can have a big impact on your mental health. If you’ve had mental health challenges in the past or are currently managing a mental health condition, this time can feel especially overwhelming. 

Changes in hormones, sleep patterns and daily stress can affect how you feel both during pregnancy and after giving birth. But you’re not alone: many parents experience emotional ups and downs during this time. Below are some key statistics that show how common it is: 

• 30% of first-time mothers report feeling high levels of stress and anxiety. 
• Around 80% of new mothers experience the baby blues – a short-lived period (usually up to 10 days) of mood swings, tearfulness, irritability and sleep disturbances. 
• 84% of women experience some form of perinatal stress, highlighting just how common emotional strain can be during this life stage.

Mental health conditions connected to the perinatal period: 

It’s completely normal to feel anxious, tired or emotional after having a baby. But if these feelings persist, intensify or begin to affect your ability to cope, it could be a sign that you need extra support. 

Some of the mental health conditions that can occur during or after pregnancy include: 

• Postpartum Depression (PPD): This includese persistent low mood, loss of interest, feelings of guilt, problems with sleeping and difficulty bonding with your baby. It can affect up to 15% of new mothers. 
• Perinatal Anxiety (PNA): Symptoms can be ongoing worry, panic attacks or physical symptoms like headaches, irregular heartrate or sweating.  
• Postpartum Psychosis: A rare condition involving psychosis that might involve hallucinations, delusions and suicidal thoughts, usually requiring urgent support. 
• Birth Trauma or PTSD: Emotional distress resulting from a difficult or frightening birth experience can lead trauma or even Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

focus on fathers’ mental health 

Perinatal mental health is not limited to women. Fatherhood can impact mental health, with 10% of new fathers developing postpartum depression due to intense work-life and home-life pressures. Fathers often report feeling like pregnancy is a physical experience unique to their partners, making them feel left out and secondary to the process. Moreover, fathers often feel like they need to deal with their mental health concerns alone. This isn’t just true for fathers. Men in general are often less likely to seek help when they’re experiencing poor mental health. This can be due to common masculine stereotypes or because they don’t see their struggles as serious enough to need support. 

how can I take care of myself? 

When you’re pregnant or have just had a baby, it’s important to take care of yourself. Here are some things you can do: 

Talk to professionals: Talk to your doctor and midwife about your feelings and worries to get the support you need. That might mean adjusting your treatment or getting extra help. It’s important to take care of yourself for both you and your baby. You can read more about it on Tommy’s website, the pregnancy and baby charity in the UK. 

Rest: Being pregnant or looking after a new baby can be tiring, so make sure you get plenty of rest when you can. 

Eat well: Eating healthy food is important for you and your baby. Try to eat a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Do not drink any alcohol or eat any raw food when pregnant, as this might hurt the baby. 

Exercise: Gentle exercise, like walking or swimming, can help you feel better and stay healthy during pregnancy and after having a baby. Make sure not to do strenuous exercise, as it might harm the baby and your body will be delicate after having the baby. 

Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Whether it’s help with chores, looking after the baby or just someone to talk to, there are people who can help you. There is a list of organisations who can help you at the bottom of this page. 

Take time for yourself: It’s important to take some time for yourself, even if it’s just a few minutes each day. Try to do something you enjoy, like reading a book or taking a bath, and continue to engage in the hobbies you most enjoy. 

how can I help others? 

If someone you know is pregnant or has just had a baby, there are many ways you can support and help them: 

Offer to help

Offer to help with chores, cooking meals or looking after older children so the new parent can rest. The smallest things can make the biggest difference. 

Listen

Sometimes, someone just needs listened to. Let them know you’re there for them if they want to talk.  

Be understanding

Understand that being pregnant or having a new baby can be overwhelming. Be patient and offer your support without judgement. 

Provide practical support

Offer to run errands, pick up groceries or provide transportation to appointments. Any small tasks that you can ease the burden of new parents. 

Respect their decisions

Understand their choices about parenting and any decisions they make regarding their pregnancy or baby.