Hear the real experiences of those who have had mental wellbeing difficulties around the time of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. We hope this video will help you emotionally prepare and find support.
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We can help
Mental health issues in the perinatal period are common. There are a range of services that are available to help you. Specialist Mother and Baby Mental Health Service (SMABS) provides support during your pregnancy and after birth, if you have a history of, or are currently experiencing severe mental health issues.
You do not need to have severe mental health issues to get help – please speak with your midwife, health visitor or GP if you have any concerns and they will support you to get the help you need.
When to get in touch with SMABS
Consider referral if you have
Previous mental health challenges
If you’ve had psychosis in the past, it’s important to monitor your mental health closely during pregnancy or after childbirth.
Family history of bipolar disorder or postpartum psychosis
If mental health conditions like these run in your family, you may be at greater risk, and a specialist can help guide you.
Existing mental health conditions
If you live with mental health challenges, pregnancy and childbirth can bring additional stress. It’s a good idea to seek extra support.
Challenges during pregnancy
If you’ve had difficulty with your mental health during pregnancy, it’s wise to connect with a perinatal mental health team.
Specific mental health conditions
Conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or previous postpartum psychosis benefit from specialized care during and after pregnancy.
What treatments and therapies we offer
Our team will support you every step of the way
We offer care coordination with qualified professional who will collaborate with you to build a care plan. They will monitor your mental health and provide you with support.
Our psychiatrists will provide in-depth assessments to identify the most appropriate treatments including medication options.
Nursery nurses are available to help you learn more about your developing baby and how to care for them. They also can help you find support in your local area.
Therapies we offer
We offer a range of different therapies. For example, we offer therapies:
- to help you understand your experience and to work out different ways of thinking and feeling
- to help you recover from traumatic events that are distressing to you
- to help you bond with your baby
- to help you change behaviours, which in turn change how you are thinking and feeling
- to help relieve physical discomfort
Meet our team
We are here for you — to listen, support, and help you through every step of this journey. Your well-being and your baby’s are our priority, and together, we will create a plan that works for you.
If you have a partner or other significant other, you can ask us to speak with them too.
Care coordinator
The care coordinators are professionals with a specialism in perinatal mental health, and they are here to support you during this sensitive time. They are Community Psychiatric Nurses, Occupational Therapists or Social Workers and they have the knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive care for you, your baby, and your family. Care coordinators ensure that your care is well-organised and seamless, avoiding any confusion or fragmentation along the way.
If you are receiving ongoing care, you will have a dedicated care coordinator to work with you. Their role is to assess your needs, monitor your progress, and provide tailored treatments. They collaborate with you to create a care plan that reflects your unique situation and goals, incorporating interventions such as mindfulness, CBT techniques, and parent-infant therapies to support your recovery.
Your care coordinator will also help address practical challenges, signpost you to relevant services, and foster a trusting relationship to support your well-being. With your consent, they will include your significant others in care planning, so they can better understand your needs and provide effective support. If needed, they can provide direct support to your family, helping everyone adjust and thrive together.
Care coordinators are responsive to your changing needs and are skilled at managing the complexities and risks associated with perinatal mental health. Most often, they visit you at home, but they can also connect with you through clinics, video and telephone calls, ensuring you have the flexibility you need.
Psychological therapist
Our therapists offer a range of compassionate and effective interventions designed to help you and your family navigate the challenges of perinatal mental health. They provide trauma-informed care, ensuring that your experiences are understood and incorporated into your personalised recovery plan.
Therapists work collaboratively with the wider team, supporting assessments, care planning, and ongoing reviews. They promote family-focused approaches and provide valuable space for reflection and planning. In addition to their therapeutic work, therapists contribute to service improvement and education, helping ensure the highest standard of care.
Depending on your needs, therapists may offer interventions such as CBT, EMDR, psychodynamic psychotherapy, or child-parent psychotherapy, including Lieberman’s model. These approaches aim to address your mental health needs while enhancing the bond with your baby. Therapy sessions are often held in the comfort of your home, but clinic-based and telemedicine options are available too.
Occupational therapist
Our occupational therapists are here to support you with the functional aspects of your life, helping you balance your daily activities while managing physical and mental health challenges. They offer assessments to identify barriers to meaningful activities and provide practical solutions such as equipment, adaptations, and guidance to make life easier.
Interventions may include mindfulness, sleep hygiene techniques, graded exposure to manage anxiety, sensory work for you and your baby, and parent-infant relationship support. The occupational therapist can even assist with practical skills like baby carrying or creating a maternal journal.
By focusing on your strengths and goals, they aim to empower you and enhance your overall well-being.
Community nursery nurse
Our community nursery nurses are specially trained to help you with the unique challenges of parenting while navigating mental health concerns. They provide a variety of supportive interventions, including infant massage, infant yoga, play-based activities, and practical parenting advice. Their goal is to help you feel confident and find joy in your relationship with your baby.
Nursery nurses also offer guidance on feeding, weaning, and child development, ensuring you feel equipped to care for your little one. They can help connect you with local groups to reduce isolation and build a supportive network around you. Although their focus is on mothers and babies, they can also provide assistance to fathers and other family members as needed.
Psychiatrist
Our perinatal psychiatrists offer expert care tailored to your needs, with specialist knowledge of medication as well as helping you to understand more about your mental well-being and treatment options. They play a crucial role in evaluating risks, safeguarding, and managing complexity, ensuring that you and your baby are safe and supported.
Psychiatrists work as part of the team to create individualised care plans, provide specialised interventions, and coordinate with other professionals. Their expertise ensures that you receive the highest standard of care during your recovery journey.
Get referred
You can ask to be referred by your GP, midwife, health visitor, mental health practitioner or another healthcare professional. They’ll be happy to talk through any concerns about your wellbeing to see if this service is right for you.
To ensure you get the right care, you may be offered information about other psychological services that may better suit your needs. Where appropriate, a joint assessment with another NHS mental health service may be offered. There are a range of services available.
You can also ask to be re-referred if your circumstances change or if you would like to share more information with us which may help us understand why we are the right service for you.
Help in a crisis
Get help immediately if you have
Significant changes in mental wellbeing
If you’ve noticed new symptoms affecting your mental health or feel your current challenges have worsened, please seek help immediately.
Thoughts of self-harm or harming yourself violently
If you’re experiencing thoughts or actions related to self-harm or suicide, support is available and should be accessed as soon as possible.
Feeling disconnected from your baby or doubting your abilities as a mother
These feelings may indicate deeper mental health concerns and deserve attention and care.
First Response – crisis service
Tel: 0800 9521181
Leaflet library
- Pre-conception advice
- New baby, new feelings (during pregnancy)
- New baby, new feelings (after birth)
- Baby blues and postnatal depression
- Thinking about motherhood and babies
- Feeling more positive about yourself and how to relax*
- Changing your thinking and taking action to lift your mood*
- Panic attacks*
- Overcoming avoidance and taking action to problem solve*
- Mum and me
- Ideas for soothing
- Partner’s wellbeing*
- Spending time with your baby