If you need support right now

  • Talk to your midwife or GP. They will not judge you.
  • Tommy's free midwife helpline: 0800 014 7800 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
  • Mind infoline: 0300 123 3393
  • Samaritans (24/7): 116 123
  • PANDAS Foundation: pandasfoundation.org.uk

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, contact your midwife, GP or crisis team immediately, or call 999.

This information is for general guidance only.

It does not replace advice from your midwife, GP, health visitor or mental health team. Read more about our approach.

Mental health in pregnancy and after birth: a UK guide

Pregnancy and new parenthood can bring immense joy, and also real emotional challenges. Around 1 in 5 women experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the year after birth. It is not a sign of weakness, and it is not a failure as a parent. It is a recognised, treatable health condition.

Talking to your midwife or GP about how you are feeling is one of the most useful things you can do. Perinatal mental health services exist across the UK specifically to support parents during pregnancy and the first year after birth. You will not be judged for asking for help.

Baby blues vs postnatal depression

Baby blues (common and brief)

  • Affects around 80% of new mothers
  • Starts within 2 to 3 days of birth, often peaks on day 4 or 5
  • Tearfulness, mood swings, feeling overwhelmed, irritability, sleep trouble
  • Caused by rapid hormonal changes after birth
  • Usually resolves within 10 to 14 days without treatment
  • Rest, support and reassurance help
  • If it does not improve within 2 weeks, speak to your midwife

Postnatal depression (treatable)

  • Affects around 1 in 10 women, and some partners too
  • Can start any time in the first year after birth
  • Persistent low mood, tearfulness, hopelessness, difficulty bonding, withdrawal
  • Exhaustion, poor concentration, anxiety, changes in appetite
  • Not a sign of being a bad parent or not loving your baby
  • Treatments: talking therapy (CBT, counselling), antidepressants (many safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding), peer support
  • Self-referral to NHS talking therapies is available in most areas

Anxiety in pregnancy

Anxiety is actually more common than depression during pregnancy, affecting up to 15 percent of pregnant women. It can present in many ways.

  • Constant worry about the pregnancy, your baby's health or the birth
  • Panic attacks (sudden intense fear with physical symptoms: racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness)
  • Health anxiety — repeatedly checking symptoms or seeking reassurance
  • Fear of childbirth (tokophobia), from nervousness to severe, debilitating fear
  • OCD-type thoughts (intrusive, unwanted thoughts about harm to the baby, which do not mean you will act on them)

Treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is highly effective for anxiety. Your GP can refer you, or you can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies. For severe tokophobia, ask for a specialist referral to discuss birth options, including the right to request a caesarean section.

Antenatal depression (depression during pregnancy)

Depression during pregnancy is as common as postnatal depression, but is less talked about. Around 1 in 10 pregnant women experience it. The symptoms are the same as depression at any other time in life.

  • Persistent low mood most of the day, most days
  • Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy
  • Feeling worthless or hopeless about the future
  • Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
  • Appetite changes
  • Difficulty concentrating

Antenatal depression can be triggered by hormonal changes, life circumstances, a history of depression, relationship problems or financial stress. It is not caused by anything you did, and it is treatable. Many antidepressants are considered safe during pregnancy, and your GP or psychiatrist will talk the options through so you can make an informed decision.

Other perinatal mental health conditions

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress can develop after a previous traumatic birth, pregnancy loss, or experience of abuse. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance and avoidance. Trauma-focused CBT and EMDR are both effective. Tell your midwife, and ask for a birth after trauma plan.

OCD in pregnancy

Intrusive, unwanted thoughts about harm coming to the baby are actually very common in new parents and do not mean you are dangerous. OCD involves distress about these thoughts and compulsive behaviours to manage them. CBT is highly effective. Speak to your GP.

Postpartum psychosis

Rare but serious, affecting around 1 to 2 per 1,000 mothers. Symptoms develop rapidly within days of birth: confusion, hallucinations, delusions, rapid mood swings, not needing sleep.

This is a medical emergency. Call 999 or go to A&E. It is treatable, and most women recover fully with the right care.

How to talk to your midwife or GP

At your booking appointment and throughout pregnancy, you will be asked questions about your mental health. These are routine questions offered to everyone, not a sign of concern about you specifically.

Things to remember

  • You will not automatically have your baby taken away for having mental health difficulties — this is a very common fear and it is almost never the outcome of seeking help.
  • Write down how you are feeling before the appointment if that helps you remember what to say.
  • Bring a trusted person with you if that feels easier.
  • If you find it difficult to talk, show your midwife or GP this page or the bit that describes how you feel.

Self-help strategies

These do not replace professional support, but they can help alongside it.

  • Talk to someone you trust. Even a short, honest conversation helps. Connection is powerful.
  • Move your body gently. Even 20 minutes of walking a day improves mood. See our exercise in pregnancy guide.
  • Protect your sleep. Prioritise rest, especially in the early weeks with a newborn. Accept help.
  • Step back from social media. Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate. The highlight reel is not reality.
  • Eat regularly. Low blood sugar worsens anxiety and low mood. Small frequent meals help.
  • Try breathing exercises. Slow, deep breathing activates your calm nervous system. 4 in, 6 out.
  • Join a group. Local NCT groups, Children's Centre classes, or online pregnancy and parent groups.

UK support organisations

Tommy's

Free midwife-led helpline, email and live chat.

Site: tommys.org

Phone: 0800 014 7800 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

PANDAS Foundation

Pre- and postnatal depression support, peer groups and partner support.

Site: pandasfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 0808 1961 776 (11am-10pm)

Mind

Mental health information and signposting to local support services.

Site: mind.org.uk

Phone: 0300 123 3393

AIMS

Birth trauma information and support with rights in maternity care.

Site: aims.org.uk

Phone: Helpline via website

Samaritans

Someone to talk to at any time, day or night, in or out of crisis.

Site: samaritans.org

Phone: 116 123 (free, 24/7)

Partners and mental health

Perinatal mental health affects partners too. Around 1 in 10 new fathers and partners experience depression or anxiety in the first year after birth. Encourage your partner to speak to their GP. PANDAS and Mind offer specific support for partners.

Related guides and tools

Postnatal NHS care and recovery→ Common pregnancy symptoms→ Your booking appointment→ How exercise helps mood in pregnancy→

A note from our team

This guide reflects NHS UK, NICE and Royal College of Psychiatrists guidance on perinatal mental health. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. If any part of this page resonates with you, please reach out to your midwife, GP, or one of the support organisations listed above. Read more about us.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to feel anxious during pregnancy?
Yes, a degree of worry is very common. Up to 15 percent of pregnant women experience significant anxiety, which is actually more common than antenatal depression. If anxiety is affecting your sleep, your daily life, or your enjoyment of pregnancy, do speak to your midwife or GP. Effective treatments like CBT are available, and you can often self-refer to NHS talking therapies.
Will antidepressants harm my baby?
Many antidepressants are considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your GP or psychiatrist will discuss the specific risks and benefits of your medication and the alternatives. Untreated depression also carries risks for you and your baby, so the decision is about finding the right balance. It is never a decision you have to make alone.
What is postnatal depression and how is it different from baby blues?
Baby blues are very common (around 80 percent of new mothers), start 2 to 3 days after birth, and usually resolve within 2 weeks without treatment. Postnatal depression is a diagnosable condition that affects around 1 in 10 women, can start at any point in the first year after birth, lasts longer, and benefits from treatment. Persistent low mood, difficulty bonding, or feelings of hopelessness beyond 2 weeks should prompt a chat with your midwife, health visitor or GP.
Can I be referred for counselling during pregnancy?
Yes. Your midwife or GP can refer you to perinatal mental health services, and in most areas you can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) without needing a GP. Many services offer specific perinatal pathways. Online providers, private therapists and charities like Tommy's and PANDAS can also help.
Will social services get involved if I admit to struggling?
This is one of the most common fears and almost always unfounded. Seeking support for your mental health does not trigger social services involvement. Professionals are trained to help parents, not to remove children. The situations that might involve social services are specific safeguarding concerns, and those exist whether or not you ask for mental health support. Asking for help protects your family, it does not put it at risk.
How do I know if I have postnatal depression?
If you have been feeling low, tearful, hopeless or disconnected from your baby for more than 2 weeks, or if anxiety, irritability or difficulty enjoying things is affecting your life, it is worth a conversation. Your health visitor will ask you questions at your 6 to 8 week check. You do not have to wait for that check if you feel you need help sooner. Every midwife, health visitor and GP would rather hear from you.