Around one in five women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the year after giving birth. In Glasgow, the midwives who work with them every day have a simple message this week: you are not alone, and help is closer than you think.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Midwives are using Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 4 to 10 May, to remind expectant and new mums of the support quietly building up across the region — including a free wellbeing workshop that has already helped more than 250 local women.
A safe space to talk
The NHSGGC Maternity Wellbeing Workshop is a 90-minute session for pregnant women, delivered both in person and online. It covers emotional wellbeing, managing stress and anxiety, relaxation and grounding techniques, hypnobirthing, and advice on bonding and self-care after birth.
Crucially, it is open to self-referral. No GP letter, no waiting list — women can simply book a place via Eventbrite.
Stephanie Mair, specialist perinatal mental health midwife at NHSGGC, said the workshops were designed to take the pressure off.
"Our wellbeing workshops provide a safe, supportive space where women can talk openly, learn practical coping strategies, and connect with others who may be feeling the same way," she said.
"We would encourage anyone who feels these sessions might help to book on and take that first step towards looking after their mental wellbeing."
More than one door in
The workshops are only one part of a wider network. The Space for Perinatal Wellbeing programme, run through the SilverCloud digital platform, offers online therapy modules covering low mood, anxiety, unhelpful thought patterns, sleep and routines. It is available throughout pregnancy and for the first year after birth, with referral from a midwife or GP.
For women facing more complex situations, the Maternity and Neonatal Psychological Interventions (MNPI) service — a team of clinical psychologists and specialist midwives — handles around 200 new referrals every month. The team supports families through complicated pregnancies, traumatic births, neonatal complications and recurrent loss.
Those at risk of more significant perinatal mental illness can be referred to the Community Perinatal Mental Health Service, which offers multidisciplinary care. Midwives, GPs and health visitors can all make referrals.
Support for the early days
NHSGGC has also partnered with the national charity ICON, which offers information and reassurance to parents struggling with infant crying — one of the most common, and most exhausting, triggers of new-parent distress.
Laura Gordon, health visiting team leader at NHSGGC, said small reassurances can make a huge difference.
"Understanding that crying is a normal part of development, and knowing how to stay calm and seek support, can make a real difference," she said. "ICON is an excellent resource, particularly the 'normal crying curve', which reassures parents that this phase will ease as their baby grows."
The ICON resources are available at iconcope.org.
How to get help
Anyone worried about their own mental health, or that of a partner, friend or family member, is encouraged to speak to a midwife, GP or health visitor. In an emergency, call 999.
Further support is available around the clock from NHS 24 (111), Breathing Space (0800 83 85 87, the free Scottish listening service) and Samaritans (116 123, free from any phone). A directory of third-sector perinatal and infant mental health services is available through Inspiring Scotland, and guidance on safe medication during pregnancy can be found at medicinesinpregnancy.org.
One in five is a sobering number. But behind it, in Glasgow at least, is a growing team of midwives, psychologists and health visitors whose entire job is to make sure no woman has to carry it on her own.
