Emotional and physical health and development

Mental health services 

Having a baby can be an emotional time and you may experience a mix of emotions, from joy to worry or sadness. It's important to understand how you can support your or your partner's mental health at this time, and seek support when required. 

For more information visit the NHS website.

Perinatal Mental Health Team

Shropshire's Perinatal Mental Health Team covers planning a pregnancy up to 12 months postpartum, for those with a moderate to severe mental illness. 

During the perinatal period it's important to be able to identify any red flags which indicate an increased presence of risk which should be acted on urgently, such as:

  • New or persistent expressions of incompetency as a mother 

  • New thoughts or acts of violent self-harm 

  • Recent significant changes within mental state or emergence of new symptoms 

  • Estrangement from the infant 

Visit the Mental Health Perinatal Community website for more information.

The Pandas Foundation also offers support for anyone affected by perinatal mental illness.

Sea Change

The Sea Change Trust offers free support for new parents who may feel isolated or anxious, have concerns about their child or have suffered a birth trauma.

Visit The Sea Change Trust for more information.

Maternity services 

Information about maternity services in Shropshire is provided by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, and includes where to have your baby, an introduction to Badgernet maternity notes, bereavement care, classes and workshops.

Special educational needs and disabilities

Information if you've been advised that your baby might have a disability or health-related condition:  

Health visiting 

The Health Visiting Service aims to achieve the best health and wellbeing for children from birth to five years of age by identifying health needs and promoting healthy lifestyles. This includes delivery of health and development reviews, and health promotion and parenting guidance tailored to individual families. You can find out more on the NHS website, or call 0333 358 3654.  

When your baby is around 10-14 days old a health visitor will complete a new birth visit at home. This is your chance to ask any questions you have, explore how you're feeling physically and emotionally, and discuss your baby’s health and wellbeing. Your midwife will discharge you from their service and hand over to the Health Visiting Service around this time.

Drop-in, open access health visitor clinics are now available at locations across Shropshire. To find your nearest clinic visit  the Shropshire Family Information Directory.

GP

It's important that you register your baby with a local GP surgery as soon as possible in case you need their advice or support.

Visit the NHS website for general information about all of the above. 

Library 

Don’t forget that your local library also has ebooks, audio books, DVD and magazines on caring for your baby, child development and support for new or first-time parents.