Around 1 in 5 women and birthing people need help with their emotional health during pregnancy, or in the first year after their baby is born. We know that dads and partners can also be affected. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to reach out and find the right support.

There are lots of sources of support if you are experiencing mental health issues during pregnancy or after baby arrives. Some of these support sources are provided by the NHS in Gloucestershire, and there are also lots of services provided by the local voluntary and community sector.

On this page…

You can always talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor. They will be able to advise, and signpost you to other sources of support.

If you or someone you know needs help in a mental health crisis, call Gloucestershire crisis teams on 0800 169 0398. Find out more at www.ghc.nhs.uk/crisis.

Call 999 if there is an immediate danger to life. 

Gloucestershire NHS Talking Therapies

This service is aimed at all adults in Gloucestershire who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression.

Using evidence-based approved therapy, it prioritises women and birthing people during pregnancy up until two years postnatally, and can treat common perinatal mental health issues such as perinatal OCD, postnatal depression, pregnancy and birth anxiety, birth trauma and baby loss. NHS Talking Therapies also supports dads and partners.

To find out more and self-refer, visit www.letstalkglos.nhs.uk or call 0800 073 2200.

Gloucestershire Perinatal Mental Health Team

For women with serious and complex mental health needs, including those who have experienced trauma and loss. Your health visitor, midwife, GP or other health professional can refer you to this service.

Find out more about the Perinatal Mental Health Team.

Birth Anxiety and Trauma Service

Specialist assessment and dedicated psychological support for women who are living through birth related trauma, fear of birth/pregnancy or baby loss and are experiencing high levels of distress in relation to their maternity experience. Find out more about the service here.

You can self-refer to this service. Please email your contact details to: talkaboutbirth@ghc.nhs.uk.

Infant Mental Health Team

Infant mental health describes the social and emotional wellbeing and development of children in the earliest years of life. The team provides expert support for families who need specialised help. They can work with families during pregnancy and up to the age of 2.

All new parents feel stressed, down and upset from time to time, but sometimes these feelings don’t go away. Occasionally they can be overwhelming and may impact on the relationship new parents have with their baby. The team have expertise in infant and parent mental health and in supporting and strengthening the important relationships between babies and their parents or carers. Find out more by watching this short video.

Your health visitor, midwife, GP or other health professional can refer you to this service.

Pelvic floor health

During pregnancy, the extra weight puts pressure on your pelvic floor. Delivery can also weaken the pelvic floor. This can lead to health problems such as accidental leakage of wee or poo, difficulties with sex, for example pain or reduced sensation and a bulge or dragging sensation in the vagina.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, you can self-refer to see a physiotherapist. Find out more about the physiotherapy service.

Perineal Clinic

This is a specialised clinic that looks after women who have experienced perineal trauma in the form of a tear to the anal sphincter (the muscle that controls your back passage). The clinic also sees people who are experiencing ongoing issues as a result of sustaining a second-degree tear that has broken down or have had an episiotomy (surgical cut at the time of delivery) which has broken down.

Your doctor, midwife, physiotherapist or health visitor can refer you to the clinic. Find out more about the Perineal Clinic here.

Gloucestershire Wellbeing Helpline

Support for adults living in Gloucestershire who are experiencing mild to moderate wellbeing difficulties, such as anxiety, low mood or depression, including support for self-harm. Call 0808 801 0606 or text 07537 410 022.
Gloucestershire Wellbeing Helpline

Home Start

HomeStart run antenatal and postnatal support groups and provide 1:1 home visiting by trained volunteers across the county.
home-startgloucestershire.org.uk

Dad Matters

Supporting dads to have the best possible relationship with their families, by supporting their wellbeing and mental health, encouraging their participation in services that have traditionally been targeted at mums, and providing peer support.
www.dadmatters.org.uk/gloucestershire.

Shine

Creative therapy, peer support, weekly drop-in and meet-up sessions, for mothers dealing with depression, anxiety, isolation or overwhelm.
www.shine-support.org

Marvellous Mums – Bartongate Children’s Centre, Gloucester

A women’s only perinatal support group mindful of cultural and religious needs of mothers from ethnic minorities.
Find more details at www.tfsservices.org.uk

The Nelson Trust

The Nelson Trust’s perinatal emotional health and wellbeing service supports pregnant and postnatal women with multiple needs, including mental health needs. They can also support with issues around accommodation, drug and alcohol misuse, and domestic abuse.

To access this service, speak to your midwife or health visitor to ask them to refer you, or contact the Nelson Trust directly on 01452 397690.

Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS)

Support for people experiencing domestic abuse.
www.gdass.org.uk

 

Forget-me-not Bereavement Support Group

For those who have experienced a loss in pregnancy, birth or postnatally. Takes place on the first Friday of each month, 7:30-pm – 9:30pm at Pineholt Village Hall, Hucclecote.

Call Louise King (07917881106). You can also visit the Forget-Me-Not Facebook group.

Miscarriage Mumma Support

A community based organisation offering online support for anyone who has experienced baby loss at any stage of pregnancy. Weekly online peer support groups, fortnightly yoga and meditation as well as hypnotherapy courses throughout the year.

Whatsapp Peer Support group can be joined by messaging – 07517 856814
www.miscarriagemumma.com

Map of local support

This map shows groups which are run by organisations within the voluntary and community sector across Gloucestershire, to support with parent mental health during pregnancy and after baby is born.

Please click the icons and follow the links or contact details for further information. If you notice any errors or there’s something missing, please let us know at glicb.gloucestershirelms@nhs.net.

Further information on local groups and community support for families and children in Gloucestershire can be found here.

Baby Buddy App

A free NHS-approved app with 24-hour text messaging support
www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/baby-buddy

DadPad

Support and advice for dads, in a handy app. Available from Google Play or Apple Store, and free to all in Gloucestershire.
Thedadpad.co.uk/app

PANDAS

Support and advice to any parent who is experiencing a mental health illness during or after pregnancy.
www.pandasfoundation.org.uk

Tommy’s

Information and support on a whole range of pregnancy issues including mental health. You can also create a pregnancy and post-birth wellbeing plan to help you look after yourself and prepare.
www.tommys.org

The Birth Trauma Association

A team of peer supporters: women who have all experienced traumatic birth themselves and been through a process of recovery.
www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk

Make Birth Better

Information and support for parents who have experienced birth trauma.
www.makebirthbetter.org

Bliss

Supporting parents and families of premature or sick babies.
www.bliss.org.uk

Sands

Supporting anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth.
www.sands.org.uk

Teddy’s Wish

Funded counselling for families following a stillbirth or the death of a baby.
www.teddyswish.org

Samaritans

Whatever you’re going through, you can call Samaritans free any time, from any phone on 116 123.

Stay Alive App

A pocket suicide prevention resource, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. Available on Google Pay, Apple Store or via the website.
www.stayalive.app

Shout

A 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
giveusashout.org

Be kind to yourself – We all have bad days. Encourage rather than criticise. Treat yourself the way you would treat a friend.
Take up a hobby or learn a new skill – Increase your confidence and interests.
Help others – Get involved with a project, or simply help out someone you know.
Eat healthily – Eat regularly, eat breakfast, eat fruit and vegetables, drink water.
Connect with others – Stay in touch with family and friends.
Try something new – Try a new food, listen to new music or read a new book. Be curious.
Exercise regularly – Being active helps lift our mood, reduces stress and anxiety, improves physical health, and gives us more energy
Have some fun or be creative – Draw a picture, colour in or make a scrapbook. Enjoy yourself!
Relax – Make time for yourself. Allow yourself to chill out and relax. Find something that suits you
Balance sleep – Get into a healthy sleep routine – including going to bed and getting up at the same time each day.
Music – Listen to music you like. Sing a song or learn to play an instrument.
Write – a letter, a ‘thank you’ card or a journal

Think there’s something missing from this page, or have any suggestions? Let us know at glicb.gloucestershirelms@nhs.net.