Pregnancy and birth mental health support

​Your mental health before, during and after pregnancy

You can get information and mental health support at every stage of your pregnancy.

If you’re not sure where to get help, speak to your midwife or contact us.

You can also find advice for mental health in pregnancy on the NHS.

During pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a joyful time, but it can also bring stress, worry, low mood or anxiety. 

If you feel this way, it may be a sign that you need extra support. It’s important to get help and support as soon as possible.

Mental health and pregnancy

Before becoming pregnant

It can take time to get pregnant and it’s different for every woman. It may feel difficult if it takes longer than you expect. 

Find more information support you can get whilst getting pregnant on mental health and pregnancy.

You can get extra support if you’re planning a pregnancy and are worried about how your mental health medication could affect your:

• pregnancy
• baby’s birth
• breastfeeding

Talk to your care coordinator or GP, they can offer advice or refer you to the Perinatal Team.

Losing a baby (miscarriages)

You may lose a baby in the early stages of pregnancy.

Having a miscarriage can be very emotionally upsetting and physically draining.

Find the support you need if you have a miscarriage. 

Post-natal depression

Post‑natal depression affects more than 1 in 10 people within a year of having a baby. It can affect mothers, fathers and partners.

If you think you may have post‑natal depression, it’s important to get help as soon as possible.

Find out how to get help for post-natal depression.

If your baby dies (stillbirth)

Losing a baby is devastating and can be emotionally traumatic for both parents and for other family members.

Everyone grieves in their own way and help is available.

Find more bereavement support if your baby dies.

Termination care and emotional support (abortion)

You may feel a lot of different emotions after an abortion and this is normal.

If you end a pregnancy, the Gynaecology team can refer you to the counselling service at the General Hospital.

Termination care in Jersey (abortion)

Support for complex needs

If you have more complex needs, we may refer you to the Perinatal Mental Health Team. They offer specialist services for extra support. We decide this at your assessment.

They’ll support you during pregnancy and for up to 2 years after your baby is born.

They aim to identify your needs early and provide safe, supportive care to help you and your baby stay well.

If you’re worried about your mental health, speak to:

• your GP
• your midwife
• your health visitor
• ​another health professional​
  
• a peer support worker
  

They can refer you to the right support.

If you’re already under the care of a mental health team, your care coordinator can also make a referral.

Get help from charities and organisations

You can get mental health support during or after your pregnancy from many local charities and organisations.

Find a full list of local mental health charities and organisations.

Philip’s Footprints

Philip’s Footprints is a small Jersey charity that can support you if you’re affected by loss from early to late pregnancy or infant and child loss.

Philip’s Footprints website​​​