Perinatal Psychology and Women's Health - Overview

Overview

The word Perinatal refers to the period that starts from a year before till up to two years after birth. Hence, perinatal mental health refers to a woman’s mental health during this period. This includes mental illness or concerns that existed before pregnancy as well as those that appear for the first time or get worse during the perinatal period. 

Perinatal mental health (PMH) problems are those which occur during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child. Perinatal mental illness affects up to 27% of new and expectant mums and covers a wide range of conditions.

Perinatal mental health problems may include:

  • Antenatal or postnatal depression
  • Anxiety
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Postpartum psychosis 
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

These illnesses can be mild, moderate or severe, requiring different kinds of care or treatment.

Who is it for?

Therapy is open to all women who experience issues during the perinatal period as well as other concerns like fertility, weight-related, loss-related or body issues. 

What are the types of treatment?

A range of treatments may be recommended for women in the pre and postnatal period. Following an assessment of your situation and needs, we can suggest the most appropriate treatment for you. Some of the therapies that may be suggested are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Eye Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing among others, with medication included where necessary.

For postpartum issues, we may suggest that women bring their baby along with the option of involving partners if required.  

Courses List

Postnatal mood group

This group is based on Cognitive Behavioural principles and incorporates mindfulness and self-compassion to guide new mums towards healthier ways of thinking, behaving and relating to themselves and their baby, and consists of six sessions of working within the assigned group. Babies up to the age of six months are welcome in this group. 

Mellow bumps

Mellow Bumps is an evidence-based prenatal group programme developed in the UK and designed to support women with mild-to-moderate mood concerns. It is a six-week, closed group programme.

Meet and mindful

Twice a month, we welcome women in the pre and postnatal period to our meditation space, with babies that are still at the crawling age also welcome to attend. Join us to meditate, converse and mingle with other women going through a similar passage of life. 10% of the proceeds from this group are donated to Health Prom, which is a UK-based charity that supports healthy birth education and services in Afghanistan by building medical facilities and training midwives in their communities.

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