Wellbeing and Support
The Mental Health Foundation states that between 10% and 20% of women develop mental health problems during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth (referred to as the ‘perinatal’ period). These illnesses include antenatal and postnatal depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and postpartum psychosis.
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Around 50% of perinatal mental health problems are untreated or undetected, which can devastate women and their families. They are one of the leading causes of death for mothers during pregnancy and the year after birth. Women in around half of the UK have no access to specialist perinatal mental health services, and services are inadequate in other geographical areas. Perinatal mental health is, therefore, a significant public health issue.
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With the right help pregnant people can be supported.
