Has anyone else been referred to the Pregnancy Mental Health Team?

[Prequelle]

I don't particularly feel I needed the referral but I understand why my midwife felt it appropriate given my history (depression and bipolar)

Anyone who has been under them, what was it like, what did they ask/do? I'm not obligated to continue with them if I don't want to am I?

I had an appointment where I saw a mental health midwife and then a nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner basically wrote a letter which was shared with my GP, consultant, and midwife outlining my previous history (I have a diagnosis of BPD but have been 'well' for a few years) - I also have appointments with a psychologist who specialises in women's health through the hospital.

Everyone I've been spoken to has said I can tell them as much or as little as I like, and they wanted to make sure that I knew where to go should I struggle. The psychologist told me what support she was able to give and left it up to me to choose how regularly I wanted to see her.

I'm currently 26 weeks and unfortunately am beginning to show signs of depression and have been very anxious and am struggling at work so it's nice to have support in place - as I said I've been quite well for a good while but pregnancy seems to have exacerbated my previous issues.

I would suggest engaging with them to have a plan in place if you do start to struggle, and just see what they can offer you. You have no obligation to see anyone regularly, but having a safety net is useful for me at least.

Thankyou for such a detailed response!

My obs team includes people I know from work so I would prefer they didn't know about my mental health side of things to be honest though, I wonder if I would even get a choice in the matter of that info being shared with them.

I think you're right about a safety net being useful, my mental health care has always been pretty poor so I guess I should take advantage of the intervention offered whilst I can

I'm under the perinatal team too, as I have BPD. Honestly it's been a rough ride already for me since I had to change medication. The ones I was one weren't baby safe. That landed me in a crisis house for a week for respite. I'm glad to have them on board though rather than struggle alone and things get too desperate. They're there to help after all

Oh bloody hell I'm so sorry you've been through that! That must have been rotten.

I saw the perinatal mental health team after I had my last baby. They did a home visit, get more like a chat than an assessment but tbh by the time I had waited for them to come and see me the antidepressants had started working effectively and they saw no need for a follow up.

I’m pregnant again, due in 4 weeks and I’ve booked a pre emptive appointment with them for when I’m 6 weeks post partum as a precaution, as I’ve had PND with all 3 out of my previous pregnancies.

It’s not something that you have to comply with but in my opinion, if it could be something that could possibly help you in the long run.

My first pregnancy I was led to believe it was mandatory (bipolar) but found it increased my anxiety and depression being so closely monitored. With my second, I refused the referral. Ensured I had crisis team numbers etc. It was a more enjoyable pregnancy from that perspective, being left alone suits me more.

I was referred via midwife at my booking appointment (8 weeks ago) due to my history of ED/anxiety & self harm, though I am recovered now and have been for 10 years. I was surprised she wanted to refer me but thought it could be useful as pregnancy can be a turbulent time, as yet I’ve had no contact from the team, I was told the consultant I’m due to see in two weeks is linked to the team- don’t know if the appointment is MH related or because of physical issues?!

Yes I was.
I totally forgot that I was at one time diagnosed with bipolar so I suppose I ticked a box.
It was a total farce seeing a consultant because of it, incredibly cringeworthy appointments due to their complete lack of knowledge of meds or anything mental health related!

I did meet an incredibly nice nurse, who I'll remember for years to come.

I didn't feel I needed any support to be honest,but I did after baby was born and got nothing. That was the hard bit and the time I really needed it.

I've been referred for my anxiety. I have an appt in a few weeks. Not sure what to expect, but been struggling with anxiety and slight depression because of the nausea etc. 10 and a bit weeks pregnant. Beginning to ease off slightly but 4pm onwards is a pain until I go to sleep so hoping there is something to help me there!

Following as expecting to be referred too. Can anyone tell me did you get a referral to social aswell? I'm worried about being judged for MH as my problems only started after I had my first DC, so I've not been through a pregnancy with a MH team.

Thankyou everyone your posts have been really helpful

I was referred (history of PTSD/anorexia/depression and anxiety) and saw a nurse who did an initial assessment. It was fairly straightforward and he didn't see a need for any continued involvement as I already have support from a private psychiatrist but it's nice to know they're there. My midwife has suggested a care meeting later in pregnancy (around 36 weeks I think) with my psych, the perinatal team and whoever else to come up with a care plan post-birth as I'm at risk of PND. The fact that I am proactive about engaging with services was seen as a real positive and nobody has raised any safeguarding concerns.

I was referred by mw due to mh issues last pg and me saying I needed more support this time. I had to see a mh nurse. It was more like a triage apt to best direct my care, all she did was take a history and tell me about medication (which I had already declined). She referred me to a mh team but she said she needed my permission before she could refer me, so I think you have as much or as little support as you want. It also means when I have hospital apt’s they always seem to have to be as part of the same clinic which is one that has a focus on mh issues.