This week is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (5–11 May), and World Maternal Mental Health Day (7th May). At Baby Lifeline, our aim is to make care better and safer for every pregnant woman, birthing person and newborn baby. This includes mental as well as physical health, and supporting the healthcare professionals that look after women and birthing people.
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, organised by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, is a week-long campaign dedicated to talking about mental health problems before, during and after pregnancy.
Why do we need to talk about Maternal Mental Health?
Though most women will have a healthy and happy pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience, up to 1 in 5 women will experience a perinatal mental health issue such as anxiety, depression, birth trauma, or postnatal psychosis. Many will underplay their symptoms and, unfortunately, suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in the first postnatal year.
Women with Black and Brown skin are also disproportionately affected: they are less likely to access support from perinatal mental health services, despite experiencing similar, or higher, levels of distress as their white counterparts. Young mothers, and those experiencing multiple disadvantage, are also at greater risk of becoming mentally unwell and less likely to receive the care they need.
Perinatal mental health problems cost the UK £8.1 billion for every year of births, with 72% of this cost due to the long-term impact on the child.
What do the experts say?
We asked the Course Directors for Baby Lifeline Training‘s Delivering Excellence in Perinatal Mental Health Care course, Dr Rebecca Moore, Dr Caroline Pontvert and Louise Nunn, for their advice for healthcare professionals caring for those experiencing perinatal mental health problems. They said:
“Together, a midwife and a woman or birthing person spend the most face-to-face time engaged in health care interactions, and the relationship between them is a unique and unforgettable one.
“Perinatal mental ill-health is now the most common complication of pregnancy and birth, and their relationship, if founded in compassion and kindness, is key to encourage disclosure and engagement with support for those struggling with mood disorders. For this to happen in practice, maternity services must ensure all midwives have protected time to update their knowledge regarding mental health, including the confidence and competence in detecting, discussing, and dealing with mental ill health.
“Letting someone know that ‘it’s ok to not be ok’ is the first step, and developing active listening skills can really make a huge difference to disclosure.”
Here are some tips and key messages:
- Always remember the power of kindness and listening without judgement; give time for someone to open up and talk about their feelings
- Don’t hesitate to ask about mental health at each appointment. Include it in the flow of the conversation where possible, and try to match their pace and tone of voice
- Be prepared: know your local sources of support and how to signpost to them
- Think about consent and communication: checking in and avoiding medical jargon can be really important.
- Acknowledge and validate a woman’s feelings and emotions; this will help her to share further. Empathy is a key part of active listening. It means trying to really understand what it’s like to go through another person’s experiences, not just feeling sorry for them. Being empathetic involves listening without judgement and understanding and accepting the other person’s feelings, even if privately you do not completely agree with their perspective
- Reflect on what they’re saying. Check you’ve understood someone by offering a brief summary and paraphrasing what they’ve just said
- Talking about suicidal ideas does not create them in someone’s mind – don’t be afraid to ask if she is having suicidal thoughts
Try not to overthink. Some people worry about saying the wrong thing when talking to someone with a mental health condition. It’s important to remember that you do not need to have all the answers. You’re not there as a therapist or to fix all their problems. Just being there for someone and letting them get everything off their chest without judgement is usually the most helpful thing you can do.
- Avoid making assumptions. Even if it’s with the best intentions, try not to assume what the other person needs without asking them. Try not to assume a woman is happy because she is pregnant; ask open questions like “How do you feel?”
- Try not to interrupt – as they’re talking, you can nod or make small utterances, such as ‘yes’ or ‘ok’, to show that you’re listening and interested in what they’re saying
- Try to avoid saying, “it will get better,” or, “it is just like that in pregnancy,” or, “you will get used to it”
- Try not to minimise a woman’s fears and anxieties – acknowledge them instead
- Be aware of body language. Think about your own body language to show that you’re calm and ready to listen. In general, try to keep a relaxed, open posture and avoid crossed arms, which can come across as defensive.
- Ask about the birth: it really matters to give space and listen to her birth story
- The postnatal period can be hard on many levels, even if the baby arrives safely and is well. It’s ok to not feel ok, but encourage her to look out for signs that her mental health is worsening
- Listen to families: if they feel a woman has really changed postnatally, this is important. Families often hold vital information
- Remember that past perinatal loss affects an otherwise healthy pregnancy; acknowledge her worries and anxieties.
And finally… look after yourself. It’s a bit of a cliché, but it’s true that we can only support other people if our own cup is full, so make sure you access any support services for staff in your workplace.
Listening to Mothers Saves Lives
At Baby Lifeline, we believe that listening to mothers is one of the most powerful tools in improving maternity care. And you don’t need to be a healthcare worker to make a difference! Everyone can help raise awareness and create a more open, supportive environment for new mums.
Here’s how:
Talk about it: the more we share real experiences, the less alone others feel
Challenge stigma: maternal mental health struggles are not a weakness
Listen without judgement: be the safe space someone needs
Support charities and campaigns pushing for better care.
And if you’re a parent who’s struggling: please know that help is out there, and things can get better. Speak to your GP, midwife, or health visitor — you deserve to be heard and supported. You can also visit the Maternal Mental Health Alliance website for links and information.
If you are feeling in need of urgent mental health support please go to A&E, call the Samaritans on 116123 (open 24/7) or visit the Mind website for advice and resources.
