We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.
You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.
To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:
On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.
On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.
Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear. It is normal to experience some anxiety, worry or stress around times of change or when a significant life event happens, such as pregnancy or childbirth. Anxiety becomes a mental health issue when the thoughts and worries spiral, perhaps feeling out of control, and when it affects your ability to manage everyday life. Anxiety disorders can be common in the perinatal period. It is estimated that 15-20% of women have an anxiety disorder during pregnancy, and 10% may develop anxiety after their baby has been born.
If you have anxiety and are planning a pregnancy, see the planning a pregnancy section for further information.
If you are struggling with anxiety during your pregnancy, or after your baby is born, it is important to talk to your midwife, health visitor or family nurse. Getting support when you need it will help your and your baby’s wellbeing.
If you feel anxious during your pregnancy or after having your baby, your healthcare professional will discuss your feelings to check if what you are feeling is normal or if you may need help. Your health professional may also use a screening questionnaire that asks about anxiety.
See the section on Identifying when I need support for further information on screening.
A panic attack is a feeling of sudden and intense anxiety. Panic attacks can also have physical symptoms, including:
The symptoms of a panic attack are not dangerous, but can be frightening. They normally last between 5 and 30 minutes.
Intrusive thoughts come to everyone at some point in their life. They may be distressing, senseless, unwanted thoughts, images or urges that suddenly pop into your mind.
Examples include:
Worries and self-doubt: ‘What if my baby stopped breathing?’
Thoughts: ‘I must wash my hands five times before I cook’, ‘The baby’s milk has germs in it’, ‘Everything in the cupboard must be arranged neatly before I go to bed.’
During pregnancy or after the baby has been born parents may have upsetting, intrusive thoughts about the baby. Sometimes they are about harm coming to the baby. These cause a lot of distress and often make parents question their ability to be a good parent.
Although these thoughts tend to reduce naturally over time, they can be more common when new parents are under stress and have little support.
Many new parents have intrusive thoughts which tend to disappear naturally over time. But sometimes these thoughts are the symptom of a mental health condition that needs professional treatment, for example:
In these situations the thoughts tend to happen more often, cause intense distress, and sometimes interfere with being able to look after your baby. If you are concerned it is essential to seek professional help as soon as possible.
If you need to talk to someone immediately, you can call:
, tel: 0300 304 7000, open 4pm to 10pm every day.If you feel you are struggling to look after your child, you can contact Parentline Scotland.
Obsessions are unwanted and unpleasant thoughts, images or urges that keep coming into your mind. They may make you feel you need to do things repeatedly to get rid of the unpleasant feelings; for example, repeatedly washing your hands or repeatedly checking that doors are locked.
Further information:
Success Stories – Maternal OCD
While it is common to feel anxious or afraid of giving birth, extreme fear of childbirth is a rare but recognised mental health condition. It can make women or birthing parents so frightened of giving birth, they don’t want to go through with the pregnancy.
The medical term for this is tokophobia or tocophobia. It is more likely to happen if someone:
Talking to a healthcare professional about your fears can help ease tokophobia. For example, this could be someone who will be supporting you while giving birth, such as a midwife, obstetrician or anaesthetist or a perinatal mental health specialist, often a psychologist in a maternity and neonatal psychological intervention service (MNPI).
Mental health in pregnancy and after birth (SIGN)