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What are perinatal mental health problems?
Perinatal is a term that refers to the period just before and after giving birth. Perinatal mental health problems are those that occur at this time during pregnancy and the first year or two after the baby is born.
It is not uncommon for people to experience a range of thoughts and feelings about their pregnancy and about becoming a parent. While this can be a time of great joy, it can also be a stressful time and comes with a range of physical and emotional changes, For about 1 in 5 people, this time can be associated with a range of mental health problems, for example: depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress, tokophobia ( fear of childbirth) , eating disorders and symptoms such as hearing or seeing things or having unusual beliefs. These problems may have been present at a previous time in your life and may recur in the perinatal period, or it may be that the problems develop for the first time during this period.
Women can be referred to the Perinatal Mental Health Antenatal Clinic using criteria from the Greater Manchester Perinatal Mental Health regional pathway.
Women are seen in a dedicated antenatal clinic where they are supported through their pregnancies under the care of a specialist obstetrician and midwife and can access support services. Appropriate referrals are made to perinatal mental health and psychological services.
The Mother & Baby unit is located on the Wythenshawe site and women who require admission during their pregnancy are also cared for by this service.
About us
Our Perinatal Mental Health service is based at Saint Mary’s Hospital (Oxford Road Campus and Wythenshawe). We provide women with specialist mental health support during pregnancy and refer them on to other services when necessary.
Meet the team
The team supports women who are either at risk of or have developed a moderate to severe mental health problem. We refer and signpost to additional support and specialist input.
Perinatal Mental Health Team at Saint Mary’s Oxford Road :
- Dr Gillian Stephen , Consultant Obstetrician who has a special Interest in Perinatal Mental Health
- Susan Atherton , Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Midwife – Team leader
- Amy Burton , Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Midwife
- Andrea McKenna ,Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Midwife
Contact: 0161 701 3522 available 09.00 to 17.00, Monday through Friday.
Location: St Mary’s at Oxford Road. Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL
Clinic day: Wednesday 1.30pm – 5pm.
Saint Mary’s at Lance Burn Health Centre, Salford. Churchill Way, Salford M6 5QX
Clinic day: Every other Monday 1.30pm – 5pm
Perinatal Mental Health Team at Saint Mary’s @ Wythenshawe
- Dr Andrea Pilkington, Consultant Obstetrician who has a special interest in Perinatal Mental Health
- Dr Claire Noor , Consultant Obstetrician who has a special interest in Perinatal Mental Health
- Debbie Forrest , Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Midwife – Team Leader
- Sophie Stockton , Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Midwife
- Sarah Barry , Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Midwife
Contact: 0161 291 2893 available 09.00 to 17.00, Monday through Friday.
Location: Saint Mary’s @ Wythenshawe. Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9LT
Clinic day: Thursday 1.30pm – 5pm
Other services we work with
- Psychiatrists
- Self-help psychology services
- Community Perinatal Mental Health Team
- Health visitor
- Psychologists
- Mental health care coordinators
- Child and Adult Social workers
- Drugs and Alcohol services
Parent and Infant Mental Health Services In an emergency or crisis:
- Contact your GP
- Go to the nearest accident & emergency department
- Call 999 and ask for an ambulance
Crisis Point (Turning Point): 0161 238 5149. This is a short-term residential mental health service for people suffering mental distress age 18 and over and living in Manchester or have a Manchester GP.
GMMH out of hours crisis freephone line for current users of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust who use Manchester services – 0800 953 0285
GMMH Crisis Cafe at No 93: a safe place to reduce any immediate crisis and to be signposted to the right level of support to avoid waiting in the emergency department. Where to go: No. 93 Harpurhey Wellbeing Centre, 93 Church Lane, Manchester, M9 5BG (Monday – Friday 8pm – 1am, Saturday – Sunday 3pm – 1am).