Got a minute to help? Take our quick website survey>
It took me about 10 months to learn that I have always loved my son and he has always loved me. It was my mind making me believe that I didn't.
What mental health problems can new parents get?
There are some specific conditions which can develop during pregnancy, or in the year having a new baby. These are sometimes called postnatal, antenatal or perinatal mental health problems.
'Antenatal' and 'prenatal' both mean 'before birth'. These words refer to when you're pregnant.
'Postnatal' or 'postpartum' both mean 'after birth'. These words describe the year after your baby is born.
'Perinatal' means 'around birth'. This term describes the whole period from when you become pregnant, until around 1 year after your baby is born.
So doctors and midwives might talk about perinatal mental health, and perinatal care.
It can be hard to tell if how you're feeling is a problem. Especially if you're a first-time parent, or you've not had mental health problems before. It's common to feel unsure about asking for help.
Our resources explain signs to look out for, and treatments that can help:
Postnatal and antenatal depression
Feeling very low, worthless or empty can be signs of depression. Find out more.
Perinatal anxiety
If you're struggling with worries and fears, this could be a sign of anxiety. Find out more.
Perinatal OCD
Intrusive thoughts about harming your baby could be a sign of OCD. Find out more.
Birth trauma and PTSD
A frightening or distressing birth experience can lead to postnatal PTSD. Find out more.
Postpartum psychosis
Experiencing psychosis after having a baby is rare, but very serious. Learn more.
What causes mental health problems after having a baby, or in pregnancy?
Some perinatal mental health problems have clear causes. For others, it may be less obvious. Find out more.
Can fathers and partners get postnatal depression and anxiety?
Partners can get mental health problems after a new baby arrives too. Find out more.
Some people also experience eating problems during and after pregnancy. Pregnancy charity Tommy's has information about eating disorders in pregnancy.
Finding help and support
If you're a new or expectant parent it can be difficult to share how you're feeling. But having mental health problems is not your fault. And help is available.
We have info on how you can help yourself, and how others can help you:
Self-care tips for pregnancy and after having a baby
Finding ways to look after yourself can help your mental health. Read our tips to try while you're pregnant or with a new baby.
Perinatal mental health support and services
Find out which services can support your mental health when you're pregnant, or after you've had your baby.
How to help someone who's struggling during pregnancy, or after having a baby
Read our tips for friends and family on how to support someone else.
Common mental health questions in pregnancy, and with a new baby
If you experienced a mental health problem around a previous pregnancy, there's more risk that you'll become unwell again. This is particularly if you've experienced postpartum psychosis. But this doesn't mean you definitely will.
If you became unwell previously, you might worry about having another baby. But you may also feel more confident in how to look after yourself. And you may know how to spot any signs that you're becoming unwell.
If you get pregnant, or want to, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You can discuss how to look after your mental health and the support you might need.
Your doctor can also refer you to a perinatal psychiatrist. This is a specialist doctor. They can support you if you're pregnant or recently gave birth, and have experience of mental health problems.
Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) has a series of guides about postpartum psychosis. This includes a guide to planning a pregnancy if you're at high risk of developing postpartum psychosis.
See our page on perinatal support and services for information about what support is available during pregnancy.
In some cases, your doctor may suggest that you stop taking certain medications to make sure your pregnancy is safe. In other cases you might decide together that it's best to stay on your medication. Or change to a different one with fewer risks.
Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. They can discuss how to manage medication during pregnancy and after having your baby.
If you decide to come off your medication, or your doctor suggests this, it's important to do it safely.
Find out more about:
If you have a mental health problem and you get pregnant, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. It may also help if you're thinking of getting pregnant.
This could be speaking to your GP. Or you could talk to any other doctor involved in your mental health care, like a psychologist or psychiatrist.
This is because having mental health problems can increase your risk becoming unwell during pregnancy and after birth. This is especially if you've experienced severe depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder.
Your doctor can help you make plans to manage your mental health during pregnancy. They can also help you think about any extra support you might need. Our information on how to talk to your GP may help with having this conversation.
If you experience thoughts about harming your baby, this can be very frightening.
But remember that having these thoughts doesn't mean you are going to harm your baby. These thoughts can be a sign of postnatal depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
You might be afraid to tell anyone about these feelings. But the more you can talk about them, the sooner you can get support. This could be talking to a family member or friend. Or to a health professional like your doctor or midwife.
You may worry that if you tell someone how you're feeling, your baby will be taken away from you. But having mental health problems and getting help doesn't make you a bad parent. And it doesn't mean that you're unable to care for your baby.
Talk to your doctor, midwife or health visitor as soon as possible. They can help make sure that you get the support you need.
A baby would only be taken into care in extreme circumstances. It only could happen if social services believe that your baby is at risk of serious harm or neglect.
Healthcare professionals want to help and support you.
It took a lot of courage to tell my midwife that I was experiencing suicidal thoughts, and had sought help from my GP.
Your stories
Mental health problems with a new baby can feel scary and isolating. But you aren't alone.
It can help to explore other people sharing what they've been through, and how they've coped.
Video: Shame and anxiety as a parent
Nina shares her relief at opening up about intrusive thoughts after the birth of her baby. And reassures other parents that's it's ok to ask for help.
Video: Postnatal mental health problems
Sara, Holly and Kate chat together about their experiences of perinatal mental health problems.
Blog: “The baby I was holding didn't feel like mine”
Blog: “The lasting impact of a traumatic birth experience”
Blog: “I am a mental health nurse and I struggled after having my baby”
Blog: “Postnatal depression left me suicidal”
Blog: “Surviving postnatal depression”
Blog: “Overcoming postnatal OCD”
Blog: “Postnatal depression and the myth of the ‘perfect’ mum”
Blog: “My recovery from postnatal depression”
Blog: “Postnatal psychosis and me”
Published: April 2024
Next review planned: April 2027
References and bibliography available on request.
If you want to reproduce this content, see our permissions and licensing page.