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Postnatal depression (PND) is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby. It can affect any parent, regardless of whether they've suffered from a mental health condition before. Postnatal depression is linked directly to giving birth and is a common problem, affecting 1 in 10 women within a year of giving birth.

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Sure Start Maternity Grant is a £500 payment to help with the costs of a new baby: what you’ll get, eligibility and how to apply (claim form SF100).

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Statutory Maternity Leave

Eligible employees can take up to 52 weeks' maternity leave. The first 26 weeks is known as 'Ordinary Maternity Leave', the last 26 weeks as 'Additional Maternity Leave'.

The earliest that leave can be taken is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth, unless the baby is born early.

Employees must take at least 2 weeks after the birth (or 4 weeks if they're a factory worker).

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

SMP for eligible employees can be paid for up to 39 weeks, usually as follows:

the first 6 weeks: 90% of their average weekly earnings (AWE) before tax

the remaining 33 weeks: £151.20 or 90% of their AWE (whichever is lower)

Tax and National Insurance need to be deducted.

Use the SMP calculator to work out an employee's maternity leave and pay.

Some employment types like agency workers, directors and educational workers have different rules for entitlement.

Extra leave or pay

You can offer more than the statutory amounts if you have a company maternity scheme. You must make sure your maternity leave and pay policies are clear and available to staff.

If the baby is born early

Leave starts the day after the birth if the baby is born early.

The employee must give you the child's birth certificate or a document signed by a doctor or midwife that confirms the actual date of birth.

You must write to them confirming the new end date for their leave.

For very premature births where the child is born 15 weeks or more before the due date, you'll need to calculate SMP using your payroll software (if it has this feature) or work it out manually.

If the baby dies

Employees still qualify for leave or pay if the baby:

is stillborn after the start of the 24th week of pregnancy

dies after being born

Employment rights

An employee's employment rights (like the right to pay, holidays and returning to a job) are protected during maternity leave.

You still have to pay SMP even if you stop trading.

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Statutory Maternity Pay and Leave: employer guide

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Eligible employees can take up to 52 weeks' maternity leave. The first 26 weeks is known as 'Ordinary Maternity Leave', the last 26 weeks as 'Additional Maternity Leave'. The earliest that leave can be taken is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth, unless the baby is born early.

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Same-sex partners and civil partners have the same legal rights as all parents.

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I was a bit scared when we found out we were having a baby, obviously happy, but a bit scared and in the beginning I was a bit clueless. The child development part is my favourite bit, but there's things in there, like things about mental health, that I didn't know about and that I didn't know you needed to know about.

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Acacia Family Support - Prenatal Depression and Postnatal Depression Support Services

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Short Multilingual Films - Raising awareness of Perinatal Mental Health

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Short Multilingual Films - Raising awareness of Perinatal Mental Health

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Self referral for support in pregnancy and the post natal period.

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Sure Start centres give help and advice on child and family health, parenting, money, training and employment.

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Emotional changes in pregnancy and beyond

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Emotional changes in pregnancy and beyond

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Pregnancy brings big changes to your life, especially if this is your first baby. Some people find it easier to cope with these changes than others do. Everybody is different.

Your feelings

Even if you feel excited about having your baby, it's also common to feel vulnerable and anxious while pregnant.

If feeling down or anxious is affecting your everyday life, tell a midwife. You will be offered help to deal with worrying thoughts or feelings.

Find out more about mental health in pregnancy.

Your relationship

You may find that you are having arguments with your partner while you're pregnant.

Some arguments may have nothing to do with the pregnancy, but others may be caused by feeling worried about the future and how you're going to cope.

It's important to talk with your partner about how you're feeling. If you are worried about your relationship, talk to a friend, family member or your midwife.

Domestic abuse

If your relationship is abusive or violent, get help. There are organisations that can help such as:

Find out more about domestic abuse in pregnancy.

Support in labour

If you have a partner, they may want to be present at the baby's birth. It can help to find out about your birth options, including where you can give birth.

You can also find out about what your birth partner can do to support you, and what it can mean for them to share this experience.

If you do not have a partner, you may have family or a friend you could ask to be your birth partner.

Involve your birth partner in antenatal classes if you can, and let them know what you want. It may help to discuss your birth plan with them so they understand your wishes for labour.

Having a baby if you're on your own

If you're on your own, ask your midwife if there are antenatal classes in your area that are especially for single people.

After birth, it can be encouraging to meet other single parents who also went through pregnancy on their own.

Gingerbread is a self-help organisation for single-parent families. It has a network of local groups and can give you information and advice. The charity can also put you in touch with other parents in a similar situation to you.

Visit the Gingerbread online forum (registration required).

Money and housing

If money is an immediate concern, find out more about the maternity and paternity benefits and leave you're entitled to claim. Your local Jobcentre Plus or Citizens Advice service can advise you.

If you have a housing problem, contact your local Citizens Advice or your local housing advice centre.

You might be eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant on GOV.UK, or Healthy Start vouchers for free milk, vegetables and vitamins.

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Pregnancy brings big changes to your life, especially if this is your first baby. Some people find it easier to cope with these changes than others do. Everybody is different. Even if you feel excited about having your baby, it's also common to feel vulnerable and anxious while pregnant.

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If you’re in distress or feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, there are organisations that can support you right now.

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Transformation Partners in Health and Care

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Life can be really difficult and you might sometimes feel completely overwhelmed. This kind of crisis situation can be triggered by many things, including bereavement, stress and social isolation, and may require an immediate response.

Remember, a mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone's time.

Accessing immediate mental health support

If you feel extremely distressed and worried that you might not be able to keep yourself safe, then you should call your local NHS mental health helplines which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Every London borough (and other places around England) has a mental health helpline which is run by trained mental health advisors and clinicians. You can find your local London number at the bottom of this page, or on the NHS's urgent mental health helpline webpage for numbers outside of London.

If you can, also let a parent, carer, friend, teacher or someone else you trust know how you're feeling so they can help support you.

If you're in immediate danger and it's a medical emergency, call 999 straight away.

If you're already receiving support from mental health professionals, you should have your own Safety and Coping Plan (sometimes called a Safety Plan or a Care Plan). When you're struggling, try to follow this plan one step at a time until you are safe and let your mental health professional know what's going on.

Please don't suffer alone. You can find lots of information about the NHS and other support organisations below - they are all here to help you.

Click for urgent mental health helplines in:

Supporting parents, teachers and professionals

All support lines are operated by mental health professionals who will help make an assessment to help decide on the best course of care.

For those caring for someone, whether a parent, teacher, first responder, call your local NHS urgent mental health support line in the first instance for immediate support and advice.

Teachers can download this short assembly plan, which share information about mental health and wellbeing, aimed at young people in key stage 3-5.

North Central London

For 24/7 support in the following boroughs call: 0800 151 0023

North East London

For 24/7 support in the following boroughs call:

0800 073 0006 for:

0800 995 1000 for:

Barking & Dagenham

Havering

Redbridge

Waltham Forest

Or 0800 073 0003 for:

North West London

For 24/7 support in the following boroughs call:

0800 023 4650 for:

Or 0800 328 4444 for:

Ealing

Hounslow

Hammersmith & Fulham

South East London

For 24/7 support in the following boroughs call:

0800 731 2864 for:

0800 330 8590 for:

South West London

For 24/7 support in the following boroughs call:

0800 028 8000 for:

Other support available

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NHS 24/7 urgent mental health support lines - Transformation Partners in Health and Care

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Find urgent NHS mental health support numbers 24/7 for help in London, and other support such as charities and Good Thinking mental wellbeing

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Ask you Community Midwife to refer you for additional support.

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Hormonal changes in pregnancy along with your own personal circumstances can lead to strong emotions and moods (Bjelica et al, 2018). While partners don't experience hormonal changes they can have strong emotions to deal with during pregnancy too (Finnbogadóttir et al, 2003).

Here we explain how the hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your emotions and how you can enhance your wellbeing.

Hormonal changes in pregnancy

As soon as a woman becomes pregnant, their body begins to prepare for safeguarding and maintaining the pregnancy. This increases levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone in their blood. Read more about what these hormones do in your body in our article about pregnancy hormones.

Higher levels of progesterone and oestrogen are important for a healthy pregnancy, but are often the cause of some common unwanted side effects. This is especially true in the first trimester.

Apart from sickness and tiredness, it's common to have mood swings and feel tearful or easily irritated (Society for Endocrinology, 2018). Once the body has adapted to the higher levels of these hormones, the symptoms usually wear off. However, some women will experience them throughout their pregnancy.

Emotions in pregnancy

Aside from emotional ups and downs caused by rising hormone levels in the first three months, the feeling of growing a new life can be exciting and awe-inspiring. It is also common to feel anxious, vulnerable and overwhelmed by the big changes that pregnancy and a new baby will bring (Bjelica et al, 2018). This can be particularly true for parents who are pregnant after previous loss or following fertility treatment.

Even if you feel excited by the pregnancy, you may have some unsettling thoughts. Perhaps there will also be some difficult decisions to make. Many women have questions that they ask of themselves. They might doubt their ability as a mother, how their relationship might change or how they will manage financially (Öhman et al, 2003). Other normal worries include:

Partners can also experience similar concerns during pregnancy (Finnbogadóttir et al, 2003).

Coping with emotions during pregnancy

It can be hard to think clearly or feel positive when you are feeling worried and tired. Taking good physical care of yourself, especially getting plenty of rest and sleep, may help to keep troubling emotions in proportion (MIND, 2020).

Gentle to moderate exercise can help to improve mood and general fitness in pregnancy, helping you prepare for labour and avoid some complications of pregnancy (Prather et al, 2012; ACOG, 2020). Try to build in some activity every day. Avoid contact sports or any strenuous exercise, particularly if you weren't active before your pregnancy (NHS, 2020b).

Finding out about benefit entitlements, midwife appointments, how you can eat healthily in pregnancy and what you might prepare for your baby can feel overwhelming. So having a to-do list can help you get these things organised in your mind. This NHS to-do list contains lots of useful information. Maybe share your to-do list with your partner or a supportive friend or relative; they might be able to offer you support in ticking some items off that list.

Talk it out

Bottling up concerns could increase your anxiety. Discussing your feelings and worries with someone who makes you feel comfortable can help you regulate your emotions and limit worry and anxiety (Torre and Lieberman, 2018).

Talking to other expectant parents may also reveal that you are not alone in your experiences, as well as providing peer support (McLeish and Redshaw, 2017). Joining an NCT antenatal course or a 'bumps and babies' group can give you an instant support network. You can find out here what local NCT activities are happening in your area.

Live in the moment

It may help to give yourself a rest, focus on your unborn baby and take time to enjoy the pregnancy. Or it might help to spend some time thinking about and doing things that aren't related to the pregnancy. Maybe that includes indulging in your favourite hobby, catching up with friends or watching the new box office hit at the cinema.

Practising mindfulness techniques can be another useful way of managing big or changeable emotions (MIND, 2020). Using mindfulness could help you stay in the present moment, and provide you with other skills to help you deal with stressful situations and anxieties in pregnancy (Dunn et al, 2012; Matvienko-Sikar et al, 2016).

Calming techniques

Some people find listening to music and singing helpful in calming emotions and enhancing wellbeing in pregnancy (Chang et al, 2008; Wulff et al, 2021). Writing about your emotions and noting down how you feel about stressful events can also be a good tool for managing stress and anxiety (Ullrich and Lutgendorf, 2002).

Research shows that for some pregnant women, massage can be good for reducing anxiety and boosting mood (Field et al, 1999; Field et al, 2004). Also, attending antenatal yoga classes has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and support you in preparing for birth (Kwon, 2020). Check that your massage therapist or yoga instructor is trained in working with pregnant women to ensure that your treatment is safe and effective.

When you might need more support with your emotions

It is important to recognise that there is a difference between regular pregnancy emotions and a mental health issue. Pregnancy can be a time when people experience mental health issues for the first time (NHS, 2021).

Around one in eight women experience depression or anxiety when they're pregnant (NICE, 2014). And around one in ten dads experience antenatal depression (Paulson and Bazemore, 2010).

Find out more here about the range of mental health symptoms that can occur and how to get support.
This page was last reviewed in March 2022.
Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.

Best Beginnings have a range of videos on emotions in pregnancy and after birth for mums and dads.

Healthtalk has videos of women talking about their experiences of early pregnancy:
Symptoms and feelings in early weeks Emotions during pregnancy
ACOG. (2020) Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 804. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135:e178-88. Available at: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/artic... [Accessed 8th March 2022]

Bjelica A, Cetkovic N, Trninic-Pjevic A, Mladenovic-Segedi L. (2018) The phenomenon of pregnancy-a psychological view. Ginekologia Polska. 89(2):102-106. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5603/GP.a2018.0017

Chang MY. Chen CH. Huang KF. (2008) Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy. J Clin Nurs. 17(19):2580-2587. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x

Dunn C, Hanieh E, Roberts R, Powrie R. (2012) Mindful pregnancy and childbirth: effects of mindfulness-based intervention on women's psychological distress in the perinatal period. Arch Women Ment Health. 15(2):139-143. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0264-4

Field T, Hemandez-Reif M, Hart S, Theakston H, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. (1999) Pregnant women benefit from massage therapy. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 20(1):31-38. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3109/01674829909075574

Field T, Diego MA, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. (2004) Massage therapy effects on depressed pregnant women. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 25(2):115-122. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/01674820412331282231

Finnbogadóttir H, Svalenius EC, Persson EK. (2003) Expectant first-time fathers' experiences of pregnancy. Midwifery. 19(2):96-105. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-6138(03)00003-2

Kwon R, Kasper K, London S, Haas DM. (2020) A systematic review: the effects of yoga on pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 250:171-177. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.03.044

McLeish J, Redshaw M. (2017) Mothers' accounts of the impact on emotional wellbeing of organised peer support in pregnancy and early parenthood: a qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 17(1):1-14. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-017-1220-0

MIND. (2017) Food and mood. Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/fo... [Accessed 8th April 2021]

MIND. (2020) How to improve your mental wellbeing. Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/we... [Accessed 14th December 2021]

NICE. (2014) Antenatal and postnatal mental health. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical management and service guidance CG192. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG192 [Accessed 8th March 2022]

NHS. (2020a) Have a healthy diet in pregnancy. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/have-a-healthy-diet/ [Accessed 8th March 2022]

NHS. (2020b) Exercise in pregnancy. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/exercise [Accessed 14th December 2021]

NHS. (2021) Mental health problems and pregnancy. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/mental-health-problems-pregnant/ [Accessed 8th March 2022]

Matvienko-Sikar K, Lee L, Murphy G, Murphy L. (2016) The effects of mindfulness interventions on prenatal well-being: a systematic review. Psychol Health. 31(12):1415-1434. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2016.1220557

Öhman SG, Grunewald C, Waldenström U. (2003) Women''s worries during pregnancy: testing the Cambridge Worry Scale on 200 Swedish women. Scand J Caring Sci. 17(2):148-152. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1471-6712.2003.00095.x

Paulson JF, Bazemore SD. (2010) Prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers and its association with maternal depression: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 303(19):1961-1969. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.605

Prather H, Spitznagle T, Hunt D. (2012) Benefits of exercise during pregnancy. PM R. 4(11):845-850. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2012.07.012

Society for Endocrinology. (2018) Hormones of pregnancy and labour. Available at: http://www.yourhormones.info/topical-issues/hormones-of-pregnancy-and-labour/ [Accessed 8th March 2022]

Torre JB, Lieberman MD. (2018) Putting feelings into words: affect labeling as implicit emotion regulation. Emot Rev. 10(2):116-124. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073917742706

Ullrich, Philip M, Lutgendorf, Susan K. (2002) Journaling about stressful events: effects of cognitive processing and emotional expression. Ann Behav Med. 24(3):244-250. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1207/S15324796ABM2403_10

Wulff V, Hepp P, Wolf OT, Balan P, Hagenbeck C, Fehm T, Schaal NK. (2021) The effects of a music and singing intervention during pregnancy on maternal well-being and mother-infant bonding: a randomised, controlled study. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 303(1):69-83. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-020-05727-8

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Emotions during pregnancy | Pregnancy articles & support | NCT

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Your emotions might not necessarily only revolve around excitement when you're pregnant. Find out why this happens and how to manage emotions in pregnancy.

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Improving your mental wellbeing in pregnancy 

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Improving your mental wellbeing in pregnancy 

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Did you know that pregnancy hormones make you feel more stressed? It's normal to feel more anxious than usual.

In fact, more than one in 10 mums suffer from anxiety or feel low during pregnancy. And, as expectant mums, your emotional wellbeing can easily be overlooked with all the focus being on your growing baby.

We asked mums how they coped with dark days in pregnancy.

'I didn't really want to see people, do anything. I felt unenthusiastic about being pregnant, didn't really want to prepare for it, wasn't very quick at buying baby clothes or to decorate nurseries or doing anything like that. I just wanted to ignore it and whenever I did think about it, I just felt really anxious about it all.'

Talk it out

Being a mum can be a lonely business. Getting to know other parents can be a lifesaver. You can share the woes of parenthood and laugh at the not-so-funny aspects of being a mum, or being pregnant.

Find out about antenatal classes near you. You might meet mums expecting babies at a similar time. If you're feeling shy out and about, see what's happening online - chatting to people on forums like Mumsnet can be a useful outlet for your fears and worries.

Don't forget your midwife is also there for you if you need to talk.

'The support I've received from my friends has been beyond incredible, from the random 'How are you and baby doing?' texts, to the casual banter, to the 'I really need someone' chats. On one occasion a set of friends just dropped what they were doing to come to my house and get me out because they knew I was in a state. I couldn't feel more blessed to call these guys my friends.'

'I created a mummy Facebook group that got me through the wonderful yet scary parts and moments in pregnancy.'

'I did NCT antenatal classes and that was amazing. We all had the same anxieties and it was good to chat with people going through the same thing.'

Find out when to get help.
Exercise

Swimming, walking, running, dancing, yoga - whatever works for you - keep doing it through pregnancy.

Exercise gives you a chance to focus on something different, and is great for you and your baby's health. A surge of endorphins, or stress-relieving stretches, can help you feel good and sleep better.

'I loved pregnancy yoga. It was 'me' time and I felt so relaxed afterwards.'

'I talk to my hubby a lot and I do pregnancy yoga once a week, which helps me to relax and sleep.'

'Keep active. It's great for preparing your body for labour, a great de-stresser and gives you something for 'you'.'

Find out more about exercise in pregnancy.
Try meditation, breathing techniques or hypnobirthing

Many mums find meditation and breathing techniques not only help them to relax in pregnancy, but can also help to manage pain in labour.

'The best thing I did was meditation, including positive visualisation. After a difficult first birth I found I could create my own positive space and vibe the second time. I felt calm and together even when I was in pain. The meditation also gave me space in my pregnancy from being the mum of a toddler.'

Find out more about hypnobirthing.
Treat yourself

Book a treat for every month of your pregnancy - it could be anything from a cinema trip or dinner out to a massage or manicure.

It will give yourself something to look forward to, away from all thoughts of pregnancy and babies (and other children if you have them).

'I booked a one hour treatment each week before my due date. I had a bit of a back massage or reflexology, depending on how I felt. Best money I ever spent!'

Get extra support

If you're struggling to cope physically, or emotionally, with your pregnancy - get some help. Whether it's help with housework, or shopping, or - if you have other children - some childcare, try not to exhaust yourself.

'I was feeling exhausted and emotional all the time in my second pregnancy. I decided to put my son with a childminder for six hours each week and just have some 'me' time, or a chance to do the chores leisurely.'

'I felt guilty at first but it was amazing. My son had an action-packed, arty day with 'Jojo' and I didn't feel pressure to be a supermum. Once his brother was born, it was nice for him to go and escape the crying once a week, and for me to have a break.'

Consider counselling

Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone that doesn't know you. It can be a space to voice all your worries and try to make sense, or control some of the negative thoughts you might be having. Ask your GP for a referral, or consider private counselling.

'Counselling got me through the first trimester of my second pregnancy, following a missed miscarriage. I was consumed by anxiety - to the point where I felt I couldn't function at work or home. I was obsessed with the idea that it would happen again. Counselling gave me space to talk about my worries and grieve for my first baby. The therapist also gave me techniques for managing my anxieties.'

Find out what help and support is available.
Try complementary therapies

If you're finding it hard to relax, you might want to try a complementary therapy, like acupuncture, reflexology or shiatsu.

'I found pregnancy a nuisance, rather than a joy, second time around. I was so distracted by my demanding, energetic toddler, I hardly had any time to think about being pregnant. This made me feel horribly guilty and ungrateful.'

'Right at the end of my pregnancy, I had a reflexology session. When the therapist massaged the area of my foot connected to my uterus (I wasn't aware she was doing this until afterwards), a wave of love and contentment spread through my whole body. It actually gave me shivers. It was an unexpected and strangely bonding experience. Just wish I'd had a treatment sooner.'

Find ways to connect to your baby

Mothers have told us that focusing on the baby for a short time each day helped them feel better about their pregnancy.

'I tried to spend some time each day focusing on the baby - it could just be putting my hands on my tummy when they're kicking. Thinking about my baby, rather than everything else that was going on around me, helped just a little bit.'

Attend antenatal birth classes

Sometimes worrying about your baby's birth can weigh you down and affect you throughout your pregnancy.

Preparing for labour by finding out about your options and ways to manage fears and pain - such as hypnobirthing - can go a long way to helping you relax and enjoy pregnancy more.

Find out about local childbirth classes, and talk to your midwife about all your options.
Find out more about antenatal classes here.
Speak to your midwife

If you're finding that your anxieties or moods are affecting your day-to-day life, please don't hesitate to talk to your midwife. Lots of mums feel this way and we're here to help. Download our Wellbeing Plan to help you find the right support.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself to feel good. If you feel rubbish then just accept that you feel rubbish. Sometimes I found that just accepting the feeling was enough to make it go away.'

It goes without saying, if you have any concerns about your pregnancy, talk to us. A check up, or listen in to baby's heart, can easily be arranged. It is so important to voice your concerns.

'I always called my midwife if I had any problems, or the day assessment unit. They have been a great help and reassuring. I've gone over my due date by 10 days now so there is no way I cannot feel tired and worried.'

Don't forget, you can also call our Tommy's Pregnancy Line on 0800 0147 800.

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Tommy's - Tips for improving mental wellbeing in pregnancy

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Did you know that pregnancy hormones make you feel more stressed? It's normal to feel more anxious than usual. In fact, more than one in 10 mums suffer from anxiety or feel low during pregnancy. And, as expectant mums, your emotional wellbeing can easily be overlooked with all the focus being on your growing baby.

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Birth plan template for writing your own plans for birthing your baby.

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A birth plan is a record of what you would like to happen during your labour and after the birth. You don't have to create a birth plan but, if you would like one, your midwife will be able to help.

Discussing a birth plan with your midwife gives you the chance to ask questions and find out more about what happens in labour.

It also gives your midwife the chance to get to know you better, and understand your feelings and priorities, and allows you to think about or discuss some things more fully with your partner, friends and relatives.

You can change your mind about your wishes for labour and birth at any time.

Your personal circumstances

Your birth plan is personal to you. It depends on what you want, your medical history, your circumstances and what is available at your maternity service.

You might be given a special form for your birth plan, or there may be room in your notes. It's a good idea to keep a copy of your birth plan with you.

The maternity team who care for you during labour will discuss it with you so they know what you want.

Be flexible

You need to be flexible and prepared to do things differently from your birth plan if complications arise with you or your baby, or if facilities such as a birth pool aren't available.

The maternity team will tell you what they advise in your particular circumstances. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you need to.

Things to consider

You can find out more about the things you need to think about when making a birth plan, such as:

You can work out whether there's anything you feel strongly about and might wish to include.

You can also show your birth partner these tips to support you.

Download a birth plan template

You can download a birth plan template (Word document 65KB, opens in a new window) to fill in and save.

Get Start4Life pregnancy and baby emails

Sign up for Start4Life's weekly emails for expert advice, videos and tips on pregnancy, birth and beyond.

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Find a birth plan template and learn about making a birth plan, including where to give birth, pain relief options, who to have with you and your feelings on intervention.

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Mental Health | Parenting and Mental Health

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Spurgeons offers support services for a range of mental health difficulties for both parents and children. Explore information on parenting and mental health.

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We do this through a no-cost Doula service and by providing essential equipment through our baby bank to those that need our support.

We need to raise in excess of £100,000 a year to keep our services running. Without government funding, we rely on the kindness of our supporters to raise these funds.

Find out how to support us

We come alongside to listen, support, inform and advocate for those who are vulnerable or isolated as they prepare for birth and parenthood.

Learn More

"I fell in love with someone who ended up being a dangerous man who beat me. I was used by many violent men and I was moved from city to city. When I was six months pregnant, I met my doula. She bought me food and all the items I would need for my hospital stay and for the baby. It was a great relief to have someone come alongside me at this time. I didn't know that people could be that kind."

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We do this through a no-cost Doula service and by providing essential equipment through our baby bank to those that need our support. "I fell in love with someone who ended up being a dangerous man who beat me. I was used by many violent men and I was moved from city to city.

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St. Pauls Community Development Trust - St. Pauls Community Development Trust

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Wellbeing Groups - St. Pauls Community Development Trust

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Our Wellbeing Programmes are 10-weeks, non-accredited course for women experiencing poor wellbeing, poor mental health management and maybe feeling isolated. It enables the participants to learn about Protective Behaviours in a safe learning environment. The wellbeing programmes are delivered and practised in a practical manner and fits in very well with the NHS’s 5 steps

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To refer yourself or a mum to our service, just complete this form or call us on 07881 300533.

What makes us unique

Our team is led by a highly experienced former NHS midwife

We are experienced in handling complex cases where a woman may be involved with social services and other statutory agencies, experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, trafficking or other emotional and physical trauma

We offer 24hr wrap around care

We work collaboratively with, but ultimately independently of, all statutory services enabling us to build an impartial and highly trusted rapport with vulnerable service users

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Bethel Doula Service - Bethel Health & Healing Network Bethel Health and Healing Network

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Our doula service provides practical and emotional support to vulnerable and isolated pregnant women during and after their pregnancies

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The Five Pillars of Parentingteenage program is being developed by Approachable Parenting and Protective Behaviours UK. This course supports parents facing difficulties with their teenagers' behavior and communication.

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Birmingham Women's Hospital - Parent Education

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Birmingham Women's Hospital - Parent Education

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Our education classes and courses are here to support you ahead of your
new baby’s arrival, help you stay healthy throughout your journey and
give you the co…

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Birmingham & Solihull Perinatal Mental Health Teams

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Birmingham & Solihull Perinatal Mental Health Teams

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Tommy's Midwives Helpline for Black and Black Mixed-Heritage women

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Tommy's Midwives Helpline for Black and Black Mixed-Heritage women

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Mental health in pregnancy | Tommy's and Mind

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The Pregnancy and Post-birth Wellbeing Plan

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The Wellbeing Plan helps you start thinking about how you feel emotionally and what support you might need in your pregnancy and after the birth.

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A Family Hub is somewhere families, parents, carers, and young people can get support.

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Free Mental Health Services Solihull | Therapists in Birmingham

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Living Well UK is a free mental health services Solihull & Birmingham to improve the health, social care for local people by our therapists

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Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

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Self-referral - Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

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