09/02/2016
Distribution date: 2nd July 2015
Antenatal depression underdiagnosed, despite 1 in 10 pregnant
women being affected
Tommy’s launches an emotive video encouraging women to ask for help
Between 10-15% of all pregnant women suffer with mental health problems such as depression
and anxiety1, yet data suggests that disorders in pregnancy may not be diagnosed until the
postnatal period, or even at all.2 To encourage these women to seek help, Tommy’s, the UK
leading baby charity, has launched a thought-provoking video about mental health in
pregnancy.
The video, named Talk to someone, follows the story of a pregnant woman who exemplifies the
real-life experiences of anxiety and depression felt by many women during pregnancy and early
motherhood.
Tommy’s wants to see mental health treated on parity with physical health in pregnancy and
urges women to look for help if they feel upset more than they feel happy.
Around 11% of women experience depressive symptoms in pregnancy, and around 5% have a
major depressive disorder.2 Anxiety disorders in the perinatal period are also common, affecting
around 13% of women2. Although rates do not differ between pregnant and non-pregnant
women, it has been suggested that identification and treatment are lower in pregnancy.2 The
data also suggests that in a third of cases, ‘postnatal’ depression actually starts during the
pregnancy but it is often not recognised or treated at this point.3
Symptoms of depression and anxiety include feeling sad, hopeless, tearful, irritable and losing
interest in things previously enjoyed. Some of these are also common symptoms of pregnancy
which can make it difficult to identify a more serious problem. Persistent feelings that last
beyond a couple of weeks should be checked out by a health professional such as the midwife,
GP or health visitor.
Professor Louise Howard, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist and Professor of Women’s Mental
Health at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London
says: “There is the expectation that a woman’s experience of pregnancy should always be
joyous, but the truth is that pregnant women often put emotional and mental pressure on
themselves to feel happy all the time. It is important for pregnant women not to feel
embarrassed or guilty about experiencing the emotions they didn’t expect during pregnancy.
They deserve compassionate support and should speak to a midwife, health visitor or GP for
professional advice.”
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09/02/2016
Theresa, 28, from Weymouth, and her partner were going through a lot of life changes when
she fell pregnant and the combination of change and pregnancy hormones triggered a spell of
depression: “Soon after I got pregnant, I started to cry all the time. People would say to me that I
was crying over nothing, but actually I was crying over everything, all the time. I had everything I
wanted and yet I was upset and angry. I kept it all in, and then at my midwife appointment she
casually asked me how I was coping and I just burst into tears. She referred me to my GP, who
suggested I go for counselling, which was massively helpful. My father had died a couple of
years ago and my counsellor suggested that I hadn’t grieved properly for that, she helped me
go back and address lots of things.”
Abby, 38, from Bristol, had experienced depression before, and while she knew there was
always a risk it would come back, she was so happy to be pregnant she didn’t think it would
recur: “My baby was very much wanted and I was really looking forward to becoming a mum, so
when I started to feel anxious it was such a shock. I had problems sleeping and within a week I
had full-on depression. I was having panic attacks, and although I’ve never self-harmed before I
started cutting myself. Things spiralled and I was admitted to my local hospital and assigned a
crisis team when I returned home. When my daughter was born, I felt very little. It took a long
time to get better, but I got counselling and that did help.”
Jane Brewin, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, says: “Depression and anxiety are very common in
pregnancy, but they can be very serious too. Women with antenatal depression and anxiety who
aren’t supported properly may go on to develop postnatal depression, and both these conditions
can have consequences for them and their baby. It is important that mental health is given parity
to physical health during pregnancy and we have made sure that it is given prominence in our
pregnancy information. By creating our video, Talk to someone, and developing all our online
materials, we hope to reach as many women as possible so they recognise some of the
common symptoms of mental health problems in pregnancy and know who to talk to.”
Tommy’s has developed information for women around mental health in pregnancy, including
advice on when you should look for help. Visit www.tommys.org/mentalhealth.
The Tommy’s midwives have also put together some top tips to look after your mental health
during pregnancy.

Rest and focus on your baby. Take time out for you to do something you enjoy,
improves your mood or helps you to relax

Talk about how you feel with someone, a family member, friend, health professional

Eat well – eat a variety of different foods and plenty of fruit and veg to get all the
nutrients you and your baby need

Take some exercise

Take some time to think about and prepare for the birth and life with a new baby (a
helpful Wellbeing Plan is available at www.tommys.org/file/Wellbeingplan.pdf)
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09/02/2016

Rest when you can and try to get regular sleep

Seek expert advice for worrying matters such as money, housing, employment and
relationships
Katrina Ashton, Specialist midwife for antenatal and postnatal mental health, Medway, says:
“Mental health problems in pregnant women can go unrecognised and untreated. This can have
implications not just for the woman both during and after her pregnancy, but also potentially for
her baby. Whilst the vast majority of babies are not affected there is an increased risk of
emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties when a mother has a prolonged period of stress,
anxiety or depression in pregnancy. As soon as a woman experiences any of these types of
psychological problems, she should speak to her midwife or GP to help prevent any
complications during and after her pregnancy.”
------------------------------------------------------Ends----------------------------------------------------------------Case studies are available upon request. For more information, contact:
Red Door Unlimited
tommys@reddoorunlimited.com
0208 392 8040
Tommy’s baby charity
tommyspressoffice@tommys.org
020 7398 3448
Notes to Editors
The Talk to someone video is available here:
http://bit.ly/talktosomeone #talktosomeone #everyonesbusiness
1. Tommy’s Wellbeing Plan: Tommy’s Wellbeing Plan has been developed for pregnant
women to start thinking about how they feel and what support they might need in their
pregnancy and after the birth. They can download and complete it themselves, or complete
it in conjunction with their midwife. Download the Wellbeing Plan.
2. About Tommy’s baby charity: Tommy’s funds medical research into the prevention of
premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage. The charity provides advice and treatment
through clinics, their website and a free pregnancy helpline (0800 0147 800). Tommy’s
believes every pregnancy should have a happy ending and that every baby should have the
best chance of being born healthy. www.tommys.org
3. Tommy’s midwives will be hosting a Facebook webchat on Wednesday 8 July, from 1-2pm,
on the topic of antenatal mental health, to give advice to anyone who might be concerned or
have questions. The webchat will take place here:
https://www.facebook.com/havingahealthypregnancy .
References
1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2014). Clinical guideline 192:
Antenatal and postnatal mental health: clinical management and service guidance
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg192/resources/guidance-antenatal-and-postnatal-mentalhealth-clinical-management-and-service-guidance-pdf (Accessed April 2015)
2. Howard L.M, Molyneaux E, Dennis C et al (2014). Non-Psychotic mental disorders in the
perinatal period. Lancet 384: 1775-1788.
3. Wisner K, Sit D, McShea M et al. (2013). Onset timing, thoughts of self-harm, and
diagnoses in postpartum women with screen positive depression findings. JAMA
Psychiatry, 70: 490-98.
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