What is classed as a 'pregnancy related mental health' issue?

[Flowers9]

I was under the perinatal mental health team for my first pregnancy.
I suffer from mental health conditions in general but I am an to control them well after years of putting up with them.
During pregnancy it becomes so much harder to control and they worsten and my anxiety starts centering around baby and pregnancy.
I'm having my second child and have been experiencing very bad mental health and finding it hard to function some days but have been told my my midwife that "it's not pregnancy related" so I just have to go to the GP?

Hi @Flowers9 did the midwife get you to do that mental health assessment at your booking in appointment? Mine came back as 'crisis', thought it was a bit dramatic but I've been referred to the perimental health team due to increased anxiety specifically related to the birth. My last two births haven't been great and I suffered badly with my mental health because of them, but usually I don't ever suffer with mental health problems when not pregnant.

If your mental health is affecting you due to pregnancy then I don't understand why you are not being looked after by the perimental health team. I would push back on this and argue that your anxiety is centred around the pregnancy.

Is it because you suffer from anxiety anyway, previous to pregnancy? So it's not pregnancy related as it's a pre-existing condition, worsened by pregnancy. Have you spoken to the GP? Do you usually take medication to help? I know that this often needs to change during pregnancy and then you need different support.
Either way, I would expect GP should be able to help make a referral.

Hi OP your midwife isn't being very helpful! Having been through perinatal mental health services myself my understanding is that any mental health needs during pregnancy and first year postnatal which require secondary mental health input go through perinatal mental health services. Just ask your GP to refer you, sorry the midwife let you down.

I think your midwife is wrong. Perinatal mental health teams should be available to any pregnant woman with mental health issues whether new or existing. I would agree with other posters saying you should push back but also asking your GP may be easier.