Support in the mother and baby unit (MBU) | Right Decisions

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Mental health in pregnancy and after birth (SIGN)
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Support in the mother and baby unit (MBU)

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

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.

You may need to go into hospital if you reach a point where you can't cope at home, care for yourself or your family, or your mental health is not improving. You can be admitted to a specialist mother and baby unit (MBU), which supports you to care for your baby while you get specialist inpatient mental health support.

MBUs admit women and birthing parents in late pregnancy and up to one year after birth. An MBU can help you care for your baby and gain confidence as a mum or parent, while having the treatment you need yourself. Your perinatal mental health service will have links with the nearest MBU, so your perinatal psychiatrist or nurse can arrange admission if you need it. They will keep in touch while you are in hospital and help with plans for your discharge. After you leave hospital, they will carry on seeing you.

If, for any reason, you don't go to an MBU, you may be admitted to your local hospital. Your healthcare professional can give you more information on what's available locally.

This video from the Perinatal Mental Health Network Scotland provides more information about mother and baby units.