Start for Life support is available through our family hubs, for you and your family. Support is available from pregnancy to birth, from 0 to 36 months.
A health visitor will contact you by 30 weeks pregnancy, to:
Your health visitor can advise you on:
The perinatal mental health service and midwives can offer mental health support when planning a pregnancy and during pregnancy.
For more on what support is available, download our guide to looking after your mental health.
Make an appointment to meet your midwife as soon as you can. They will ask you questions about mental health. Answer these questions as truthfully as you can.
You will be told about help and support for you and your partner. Don’t worry, you will not be referred to social services just because you have a mental problem.
The perinatal mental health service supports women's mental health through pregnancy and postpartum (feelings of sadness, anxiety (worry) and tiredness that last for a long time after giving birth).
If you and your partner are thinking of having a baby, you can be seen by the perinatal mental health service if you have a current or previous mental health problem, such as:
They can support you to stay as well as possible by arranging a preconception appointment.
During this appointment you will:
Drop in clinics are available at all 3 family hubs:
Health visitors will also explain the benefits of attending a family hub, to access health and early learning services.
Through our family hubs you can also access the family champions. They offer support to parents-to-be and new parents before and after birth.
Find out more about our family hubs.