Perinatal mental health service

[AriadneThread]

Has anyone had support from a specialist perinatal mental health service? If so how was it? I'm 3m postnatal and have been referred for an assessment.

I had a lot of intensive support from them, with three admissions to two different wards. They were brilliant, I’m indebted to them. My CpN and the nurses on the ward were all great. Good luck

I had cognitive behavioural therapy and it was excellent. Really helped. The therapist himself didn't specialise solely in perinatal (I believe he specialised in anxiety regardless of the cause/context), but was part of the perinatal mental health service. I'd highly recommend CBT if that's an option (and appropriate) for you. (And I took the medicine the doctor prescribed too - it was just for 3 months.)

Hope you're better soon

I have. In ours there were all sorts of therapies available, as well as baby massage. Helped loads. Sadly such services are only available in a few places. You're in expert hands, good luck!

Yes I did the group therapy baby massage class too, it was great, mainly to be able to talk openly with people in a similar boat

How are you doing?

I saw a perinatal psychiatrist to discuss if I could have a baby on my meds. The answer was yes I could.

She was lovely & didn't seem to judge me negatively for wanting a child with my MH problems (schizo affective disorder).

However she was very firm about me needing a partner/ strong support network that I sadly don't have.

I got the impression that she'd seen and heard it all.

If your psychiatrist is like her then you'll be fine.