We debunk myths about perinatal mental health and encourage parents to talk about how they're feeling.
There are so many myths and misconceptions around mental health issues, such as postnatal depression and the baby blues, which can lead to new parents suffering in silence and unable to seek help when they need it. We take a look at the most common ones.
Myth #1: Pregnancy is a happy time; pregnant women don’t get depressed
Pregnancy is a happy time but depression and anxiety are common mental health issues during pregnancy and after birth. Pregnancy is generally seen as a time of happiness and excitement. Perhaps because of this, depression in pregnancy can be difficult both for women and the people around them to accept and recognise. In any case, depression doesn't always manifest itself in the emotion of sadness; it can also present itself through feeling an utter lack of motivation or worthless.
Be open about how you’re feeling with your GP, partner, friends and/or family; it’s so important not to hide your emotions if you are feeling low or struggling.
Myth #2: It’s just the ‘baby blues’, I’m fine
It could be the ‘baby blues’, which can leave some mums feeling emotional, irritable, low and/or tearful within the first few days or weeks after giving birth but, if symptoms persist or worsen, begin at a later stage, or even in pregnancy, it can be something more serious, such as antenatal depression (AND), postnatal depression (PND) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There’s a danger this can be labelled as the ‘baby blues’, and therefore many mums don’t seek help.
Our #BeyondBabyBlues campaign is about encouraging parents to talk more openly about maternal mental health, to avoid the mistake of dismissing potentially serious mental health issues in themselves, friends or family, and to seek help.
Myth #3: If I’m diagnosed with a mental health issue, my baby will be taken away from me
This is a huge misconception that prevents many new mums from seeking help sooner. When diagnosed with a mental health issue like PND, your GP will be focussed on getting you better by offering medication and/or counselling. The aim of healthcare professionals is to keep families together. Perinatal mental health specialists will also often work with mums to help with bonding and attachment.
Myth #4: If I tell anyone about my mental health worries, they will think I’m a failure or a bad parent or that I don’t love my baby
Having a mental health issue does not make you a bad parent or a failure. Adjusting to being a new parent can be an emotional and difficult time, especially if you develop depression or anxiety.
Mums and dads suffering with mental health worries often feel a strong bond and connection with their baby, despite their low mood or anxiety. For others, ongoing untreated depression can make it hard to emotionally connect. Taking the step to seek help is the best and bravest thing you can do.
Myth #5: Mental health problems only affect certain people
Mental health problems can affect anyone regardless of age, social background or relationship status but there are parents who are at a higher risk of certain mental health issues like PND, such as younger mothers or those with a history of mental illness. If you don’t feel ‘right’ within yourself talk to someone and/or seek help from a professional.
Myth #6: I will be forced to take medication
You won’t be forced to take medication, such as anti-depressants, when diagnosed with a mental health issue but it may help you in the short term while you find long-term techniques to help boost your mood. Medication can be useful in helping you feel that bit better and then enable you to do other things to aid your recovery, such as exercise, meeting other parents or counselling.
Most medication is prescribed for a six-month period and this may be all that you need in order to help your recovery; but you can take them for longer if you need to. Always seek advice from your GP before stopping or changing any medication as it’s important to do this slowly and in the recommended way.
Some mums also fear they may become addicted to medication or, if they’re breastfeeding or pregnant, believe they cannot take anything because it might harm their baby. However, certain anti-depressants are an option during pregnancy and while breastfeeding so talk to your GP to find out more.
Myth #7: I’m the only one who feels this way
According to our research, half of new mothers are concerned about their mental health and many are suffering in silence, so you are most definitely not alone. It can feel incredibly isolating when you suffer with a mental health illness so it’s important to tell someone how you’re feeling and seek professional help as soon as you can. The sooner you seek help the quicker you will find a way to feel better.
Attending a support group can help alleviate the isolation that you feel, simply talking to others who have been through it or are in a similar situation will help you feel less alone and more understood. It is important though to check that these groups are properly safeguarded with well-trained staff and volunteers who have access to clinical supervision and support for themselves.
Myth #8: Only mums suffer from mental health issues like postnatal depression
Men can suffer from mental health problems such as PND or PTSD too. Research from NCT found that more than 1 in 3 new fathers (38%) are concerned about their mental health. In general, studies have shown that one in 10 dads has PND and fathers also appear to be more likely to suffer from depression three to six months after their baby is born than at any other time. In addition, following a traumatic birth, fathers can be more prone to PTSD than mothers because they witness the trauma first-hand and can feel so helpless during the experience.
Mental health problems can affect mums and dads so talking to each other, and also friends and family, is so important.
Myth #9: There’s nothing I can do to help a parent suffering with mental health issues
Often a friend, family member or colleague is the first to notice when something isn’t right. Just being there, listening and providing non-judgemental emotional and practical support can help. Gently encouraging them to speak to their GP, midwife or health visitor is also important.
You can also access reliable information about antenatal and postnatal mental illness (examples below), as this might help you understand how you can help and make a difference.
Myth #10: I’m never going to feel better
Recovering from a mental health problem takes time; it’s not something you can simply ‘snap out of’. Here are a few tips that may help you on the road to recovery:
- Find what works for you whether it’s exercise, mindfulness, medication, attending support groups or therapy like counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
- Practise self-care: it could be just a few minutes each day to do something nice just for you, looking after yourself is really important.
- Sleep! This can be incredibly difficult when you have a baby but sleep is so important.
- Talk to other parents – this could be through an online support group, attending a peer support group or local NCT branch events.
It can be difficult to talk about mental health issues during pregnancy or in the early weeks and months of parenthood but it's so important to seek help if you need it. Share how you're feeling - you are not alone.
Published: November 2015
NCT's helpline offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700. See also NCT's evidence based briefings on mental health before, during and after childbirth.
You might find attending one of NCT's Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
You might also like to try one of our Relax, Stretch and Breathe classes, which aim to help improve your physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as feel more confident and positive.
Mind, a leading mental health charity, provides information on a range of mental health topics including postnatal depression and has an infoline for support: 0300 123 3393.
#PNDHour is an online peer support group that runs every Wednesday at 8pm via the Twitter account @PNDandMe. Anyone can join in to discuss topics about antenatal and postnatal depression, such as self-care, medication and seeking help. It’s run by a mum called Rosey who also blogs about her own experiences with antenatal and postnatal depression, as well as raising awareness of perinatal mental illness, at PND and me.
We are grateful to Dr Andrew Mayers, a psychologist specialising in child and family mental health (particularly perinatal mental illness) and sleep (especially children), for his help in reviewing the information on this page.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has information on mental health in pregnancy.
Effective psychotherapeutic treatments may be found in your area. Check out the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) for a list of recommended therapists. Well Scotland or Niamh (in Northern Ireland), leading providers of mental health information in their regions, for further information on PND.