Perinatal Mental Health Service

peri meaning 'around'
natal meaning 'birth’

Our Service is made up of two teams:

The Nottinghamshire Perinatal Mental Health Team (Including the Community Perinatal Mental Health team and the Margaret Oates Mother and Baby Unit): Supporting women and their families with mental health difficulties who are planning to conceive, are currently pregnant or have recently had a baby.

The Nottinghamshire Perinatal Trauma & Bereavement Service (PTBS): Supports women and their families who have experienced mental health difficulties relating to trauma and loss in the perinatal period.

Having a baby is one of the most significant points in a woman’s life. It has huge impact physically, emotionally and socially (relationships, finances, employment, housing).

It can be an exciting period but also a very challenging time.

It is common for pregnant women and new parents to feel overwhelmed and experience anxiety, worry, depression, stress and confusion. It is natural to have many different feelings, sometimes you may need some extra support.

Please read the resources below that talk about preparing for a baby, becoming a mum and emotional changes in pregnancy.

Emotions and wellbeing in pregnancy and the postnatal period

Being pregnant... Preparing to give birth

Being with your baby... Becoming a mum

The Perinatal Mental Health team provides treatment and support to women experiencing problems with their mental health during pregnancy and a year following their baby’s birth.

Pregnancy and the postnatal period is the most vulnerable time for women in terms of their mental health, more so than at any other time in their lives.

Perinatal mental health problems affect up to 20% of women and present in a variety of different ways.

We know that without appropriate treatment and support, mental illness can have significant and long-lasting effects on the woman and her family.

Click on the links to the right of this page for more information on our service.