Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999

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Your mental health during pregnancy

Support before pregnancy

If you are planning a pregnancy and take mental health medications, speak to your GP. They need to review your medication before stopping your medication. Most medications are safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Click here for information about this.

Do not stop medication suddenly. Only reduce or replace medication after a review from your specialist health care professional. This will either be your psychiatrist or your GP.

If your GP needs further specialist advice, they will speak to the pregnancy mental health team. Sometimes you are offered an appointment to see the specialist team before you get pregnant.

7 out of 10 women may relapse in pregnancy without support and care, or if medication is stopped abruptly, so please refer early for support.

Leicester Hospitals are aware of safety of medication in pregnancy and work jointly with services across Leicester to make sure the choices you make are not impacting on your own mental health and well being. Click here for more information on this.

Support during pregnancy

Leicester Hospitals run a joint clinic for pregnant people. This can be accessed by your GP, midwife, mental health team or hospital. If you feel like you need this service, speak to your midwife or doctor.

Support is provided around emotional health and well-being, working with you to make plans for care in pregnancy and birth. If you are invited to a clinic for an appointment, you might see an obstetrician, specialist midwife, and/or a mental health nurse. The team have the clinics weekly at both hospitals and can discuss your care with a psychiatrist for direct support around medication.

The team will meet with you and discuss a care plan that you agree with for pregnancy and after your baby is born. This plan will support you to make your own choices as to how you wish to be cared for during and after pregnancy, and ensure you’re in good health and feel ready for when your baby arrives.

Useful resources

Perinatal MH Service

ChatHealth Logo

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust runs a confidential secure text messaging service for parents of children aged 0-19 years called Chat Health. The service operates Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, excluding bank holidays. All texts will be responded to by a public health nurse (health visitor/school nurse) within 24 hours. Outside of the service working hours, you’ll receive a message back to inform you that your text will be responded to once the line reopens.

Healthy Together Logo

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust runs the Healthy Together Helpline for parents and carers in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The Helpline’s qualified health and administrative professionals offer easy to access, safe and free advice, support and signposting. Calls are answered from 9am – 4.30pm on weekdays, excluding bank holidays. Calls are charged at the same rate as calling a standard landline number.

Should you require urgent health advice in the meantime, please contact your GP, visit an NHS walk-in centre or call NHS 111. For emergencies, dial 999 or visit A&E.

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Page last reviewed: 26-01-2024

Next review due: 26-01-2027

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