Your emotional health
Having a baby can be joyful, exciting and rewarding. However, mothers and fathers can be under great pressure to act and feel happy and excited during pregnancy and after birth. The reality of transitioning to parenthood is quite different and you may be surprised to experience feelings you hadn’t expected. Be assured: it is also common for new mothers or fathers to experience anxiety, depression or emotional distress.
As many as one in five women experience emotional difficulties during pregnancy and in the first year after their baby’s birth. This can happen to anyone.
Perinatal positivity – a video developed by expert clinicians with local women and charities in North West London
If you are experiencing emotional difficulties during this time, it may be that you are experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety. It can occur straight after the baby is born or months later. Each woman is affected in her own particular way but some of the common causes, symptoms and advice about what helps can be found in the pages and related links below.
Portal: Mental health and wellbeing in your region
