Maternal Mental Health

Becoming a parent or guardian to a new baby is a life-changing event, whether the baby is your first or you have other children. Sometimes we can face unexpected and confusing thoughts and feelings we process our birth experience, recover physically, and adjust to our new role and responsibilities.

Each person adapts to becoming a parent or guardian in their own unique way but there are common reactions that many new parents share. This information describes some of the thoughts and feelings new parents and guardians might experience, what might help them to cope and the support available.

If you are experiencing thoughts and feelings that are not described on these pages that you are worried about, please speak to your health visitor or GP.