Changes in your emotions, with highs and lows, are natural when planning pregnancy, while you’re pregnant and after giving birth. It's a big change that takes time to get used to. It can create huge differences in your work, relationships, finances and social life. It is normal to have worries, for example, about coping or being a good enough parent.

You may have other things happening in your life that could affect your mental health and wellbeing. You may already have a mental health condition that means you would benefit from extra support during and after your pregnancy. Some people can have mental health issues, for example depression or anxiety, for the first time during pregnancy.

If you're worried at all, the sooner you get support the better it will be for your health and your baby.

Your healthcare professional will ask you questions about your life and how you are feeling to find out if you need any support with your mental health. They do this for everyone who is pregnant or has just had a baby. They use questionnaires to check how you are feeling. They will discuss the answers with you so you can both have a good understanding of your needs.

It is important that you let your health professional know if you are at risk of severe mental illness or have any thoughts of harming yourself. Your health professional will work with you to look at ways of keeping you safe.

Let your health professional know if you or your family notice any of the following:

• Changes to your mental health.
• Thoughts of self harm.
• Not feeling connected to your baby.
• Problems with sleeping.

It can be helpful for your partner to be involved in discussions about your emotional wellbeing and care. Your healthcare professional will check you are happy for that to happen before discussing anything with them.

This pathway, produced by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, explains your rights are when you need treatment for a mental health condition. 

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Personal story

Read Jenny's story from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance about how important it is to say when you need support.