Mental health support

Symptoms can include:

• constant worry that does not go away
• low mood that is persistent, affecting you more days than not, or making you feel like you are not yourself
• tearfulness
• irritability
• feelings of being disconnected from your unborn or newborn baby
• not wanting to do things you normally enjoy
• difficulty sleeping
• loss of appetite.

Occasionally some women can experience more severe and frightening symptoms of mental illness. This can include thoughts of self-harm or thoughts of suicide. If this happens to you, get urgent support and make sure you speak to a family member or friend you trust.

If you feel that you may need support with your mental health, speak to your midwife as soon as possible. Lots of options will be available to you. Your midwife will talk these through with you and help you decide what feels right.

You can also speak to your GP or Health Visitor.

Options include:

• a local talking therapy service. Your midwife can refer you, or you can refer yourself
• more appointments with your midwife
• medication is sometimes offered and can be helpful
• signposting to support services and useful resources.

Becoming a Dad can be a rewarding, exciting and challenging time. It’s not unusual to experience a range of emotions which can impact on how we think and feel.

There are lots of things which can be useful to help support wellbeing. Your health visitor will signpost you to appropriate services.

Below is a list of local support groups, websites, helplines and apps.

The Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust have a list of useful support tools for Dads and partners if they are struggling with their mental wellbeing. Click here to visit their website.