A Guide to Getting Help in Pregnancy or Early Motherhood

Suzie Booth
Nov 17
3 min read

by Suzie Booth, Counsellor/Psychotherapist (MSC. MBACP accred).

If you’re pregnant or a new mum and finding yourself struggling with how you’re feeling, I want to say something really clearly: you deserve support, and you deserve it early. You do not have to wait until things feel unmanageable. In fact, the earlier you speak to someone, the easier it is to get things under control and prevent those feelings from becoming chronic or overwhelming.

You’re not expected to cope alone

During pregnancy, you’ll hopefully be supported by your GP and your community midwife. Once your baby arrives, your local health visitor becomes another important source of support. Any one of these professionals can sit with you, listen to how you’re feeling, and help you understand what might be going on.

And just as importantly, they can refer you on to more specialised help if you need it.

Most areas have a dedicated NHS perinatal mental health service. Your GP, midwife or health visitor can refer you, and the team there offers extra support specifically tailored for expectant and new mums.

You’re also not limited to NHS support

There are wonderful national organisations who make it easier to reach out:

Association for Postnatal Illness (APNI): They run a helpline and an online chat service, open Monday–Friday, 10am–2pm.
Maternal Mental Health Alliance: A brilliant resource hub with clear, compassionate information.
NHS Start for Life: Full of advice on pregnancy, birth and the early stages of parenthood.

And if you like something more structured and self-guided, I really recommend Michelle Cree’s book, The Compassionate Mind Approach to Postnatal Depression. It uses compassion-focused techniques to support mood, confidence and bonding; a gentle, practical companion for those early days.

Community matters more than you think

One of the most protective things during the perinatal period is simply not having to do it alone. This is where antenatal classes can be so valuable. You can join classes through your local hospital or through private providers like NCT.

These sessions don’t just teach you about pregnancy, birth and the newborn phase; they introduce you to other expectant parents who are right in the thick of it with you. Those connections become the people you text at 3am, the ones you swap questions with, the ones who nod knowingly when you say, “I’m not ok today.”

A special mention: The Positive Birth Company

If you haven’t come across them yet, they offer incredibly supportive digital courses. One of which is the Postnatal Pack. This is a genuine treasure trove. You get video guidance from different experts on everything from feeding, sleep and early weeks with your baby, to maternal mental health, physical recovery, relationship changes, and even yoga and meditation. It’s like having a team of professionals in your pocket.

And finally, private therapy is always an option

If you want to explore one-to-one support, you can search for a therapist on:

Talking to someone trained to support you through this season can make an enormous difference.

You are not meant to 'power through' this time. Pregnancy and early motherhood are huge emotional, physical and psychological transitions. Reaching out for support isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s an act of care, protection and love, both for you and your baby.

If you’re feeling low, anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected or simply “not yourself,” please speak to someone soon. You matter just as much as the baby you’re bringing into the world.