Help for expectant and new parents

Help if you are feeling low or anxious

Feeling anxious in the early days, recovering from a difficult birth, lack of sleep, changes to relationships and other challenges can all lead to low mood or loss of confidence. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. One in five women and one in ten dads need help with their emotional wellbeing during pregnancy or in the first year after their baby is born. Seeking help early is important as it will speed your recovery.

All the face-to-face support contacts listed below are trained to listen to you and can help you decide what is right for you.

Local health services

  • Midwives - will support you through pregnancy and after the birth of your baby. You can discuss any concerns or worries you have with your midwife. They can tell you about the different support that’s on offer and help you decide what’s right for you. Contact details for Maternity at UHCW.
  • Health Visitors - Health visitors offer expert advice and guidance on the mental health and wellbeing of the whole family. They play a key role in promoting good family mental health and wellbeing; the healthy physical and emotional development of infants; and the parent-infant relationship.
  • Specialist Health Visitors – There are three specialist health visitors in parent and infant mental health across Warwickshire. They work with the health visiting team to support families during times when mental health support is needed. They provide training to all health visitors so that you can feel confident to talk about how you feel with competent and compassionate staff. They work closely with other health professionals, such as GPs, midwives, adult psychological therapy (IAPT) and the perinatal mental health team, to help you get the support needed.
  • Video Interactive Guidance – Specialist health visitors also deliver video interaction guidance. VIG can support enhanced communication, relationships and understanding between parent and child. Local parents in Coventry and Warwickshire have created a video to show their experience of VIG.
  • Family Nurse - This is a voluntary home visiting programme for young mums and their families, that works with you to have a healthy pregnancy, support your child’s health and development, and helps you to plan your own future and achieve your goals. It is available to mums aged 19 or under. A family nurse will work with you to deliver the Family Nurse Partnership Programme as well as undertaking the role of a health visitor.
  • IAPT Healthy Mind Service - Talking therapies for anyone experiencing depression or anxiety. The service has five perinatal mental health champions to support mums, dads and partners. You can self-refer.
  • Find your local GP

Other Local Support

  • Children and Family Centres - One in four parents in Warwickshire have told us that they have felt lonely and isolated. To find support and meet other parents in your local area ask at your local children and family centre. Timetables of all the events and activities being run from the centres plus information on one to one support is available from the centre and/or their facebook page.
  • Parents in Mind – Trained peers offer group and one to one support to mums experiencing emotional difficulties in pregnancy up to the second year after birth. Support is available across Warwickshire with groups in Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington and Stratford.
  • By Your Side - supports families with emotional difficulties in pregnancy or following the birth of a child. There are currently twice weekly online support groups as well as a weekly stay and play group plus one to one support. Wellbeing packs can also be requested. There is an active twitter page.
  • Parenting Project Counselling Service - Free, confidential counselling service for all Warwickshire parents to explore issues they are experiencing within their family relationships. Family wellbeing facilitators and volunteer parent mentors are also available in some areas. Contact them through your local Children and Family Centre, by emailing counselling@parentingproject.org.uk, by text to 07903 463824 or by completing an Online referral form
  • Wellbeing for Warwickshire - Offer one-to-one support, walk-in sessions, peer-led drop-in sessions to those (aged 16+) struggling to cope.
  • Mental Health Matters - Telephone helpline and webchat service providing free, confidential 24/7 emotional support.
  • Mamma Mia - In addition to the care you receive from your healthcare teams, this free online self-help support tool is available for pregnant women in Coventry and Warwickshire.
  • DadPad - DadPad is an evidence-based app accessible to all fathers living in Warwickshire FREE of charge. It is designed to reduce your anxieties, create a strong bond and healthy attachment with your baby, build stronger family relationships and recognise when you or your partner might need to get help for your mental health.
  •  Arts on Referral – An arts course to boost wellbeing for new parents (0-2 years) who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges. The course is run over 6 sessions during the day for parents to attend with their infants.
  • Home Start South Warwickshire - A voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with young children. Without support, families may feel alone or isolated. Home Start South Warwickshire can offer compassionate, confidential support to families.

National Support

  • PANDAS – Charity for perinatal mental illness offering free telephone support seven days a week 9am-8pm on 0808 1961 776 or by email info@pandasfoundation.org.uk (response within 72 hours).
  • Out of the Blue is a series of videos on the Baby Buddy app to support parents who are experiencing low mood, anxiety and/or depression either leading up to or following the birth of your baby.
  • Best Beginnings - Information on national charities offering online pregnancy and birth related support and information. From the creators of the Baby Buddy app.
  • Shout – This service provides 24/7 help in a crisis. Text shout to 85258.
  • Dads Matter UK – support for dads worried about or suffering from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. Information, advice and support for you and your partner.

Additional Help

  • Specialist support for expectant and new parents - For additional specialist mental health support.
  • Relationship conflict - Advice, support and resources for family relationships.
  • Domestic abuse - Support in Warwickshire.
  • Quit4Good - Smoking and nicotine cravings can increase feelings of stress and anxiety. The Warwickshire stop smoking in pregnancy service can help you to quit smoking. The service can support you, your partner and anyone else living in your home to quit during pregnancy and stay smoke-free.

Mental health support in pregnancy and following the birth of your baby for Coventry and Warwickshire residents.

This external site has been created by local partners and CWPT that have a remit around mental health and wellbeing for parents and families during pregnancy and up to when a child turns two.

Parents and families may find additional sources of support via this site, particularly if they are feeling a range of difficult emotions and feelings during pregnancy or following the birth of a child.