Women experiencing mental health difficulties, who are attending the Rotunda hospital, can be seen by the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service (SPMHS) after their booking visit and up to one year following their birth.

All attendances are by appointment only and we do not operate a walk-in service. We do not offer a general counselling service. Patients requiring such support should be directed to community services. We do not accept self-referrals (except to some of our classes).

Internal referrals are accepted from your Midwife, Obstetrician, Medical Social Worker or other healthcare professional involved in your care at the Rotunda Hospital. Internal referrers should refer to our specific guidance in relation to the referral process here.

External referrals are accepted from GPs and Community Mental Health Teams. External referrers should refer to our specific guidance in relation to the referral process here. 

The perinatal period refers to the time from when your little baby or babies are conceived up to 1 year after their birth. Emotional and mental wellbeing are so important during this period. From the moment you become pregnant, things can begin to change. Finding out you are pregnant is usually a very emotional experience. Some may feel delight, some feel shock or terror and some may have feelings somewhere in between this.

What surprises many women are the ongoing emotional changes that they feel during their pregnancy. This is perfectly normal, but understanding what to expect and why, will help you with the huge adjustment you are going through. It is important to recognise that your feelings can change – about yourself, your baby, your relationships and your future.

There will be big changes in your hormone levels during pregnancy and this can impact on your emotions. It is common to have mood swings and it is not something you have much control over. Nearly all pregnant women have emotional ups and downs. You can have times of feeling unsure and panicky, having extreme reactions to minor things and crying. Getting used to the changes in pregnancy is not always easy. Changes in your hormone levels also mean you have physical symptoms like feeling sick and tiredness, so remember to get plenty of rest and continue to do what you enjoy doing.  Talking about your feelings and your concerns to your partner, or to somebody close to you, will help to put things in perspective and help you to cope.

It is normal for couples, and especially the mother, to worry about the health of their baby. What if there is something wrong? It is helpful to know that many other pregnant women have worries, anxieties and fears like yours – about pregnancy, labour and looking after a new baby. Although it is normal to have some worries while you are pregnant and to feel a bit down from time to time, it is more serious if you are feeling low or anxious a lot of the time. Talk about your concerns with your GP, midwife or obstetrician.