Ep 137 – Beyond baby blues: supporting mental health in parents and partners

The 6–8-week postnatal check is a chance to better support mental health in new parents. In this second episode in a series on perinatal mental health, Dr James Waldron speaks with Dr Jenny Barnes – a GP in Warwickshire and perinatal mental health champion – about making the most of this critical opportunity. This episode discusses addressing mental health in both mothers and partners, the hidden toll of social media and understanding associated conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychosis. It also offers practical insights for healthcare professionals to expand their approach and improve care for the whole family.

Key take-home points

• The 6–8-week postnatal check is a vital opportunity to explore mental health in new mothers. Allocate enough time to discuss mental health meaningfully and make it an equal and important focus of a postnatal consultation. Aim for continuity of care with a familiar GP; involving health visitors or midwives can help gather better information, flag issues and provide holistic support.
• Mental health in partners is often overlooked: 10% of fathers experience postnatal depression, and 25% report mild depressive symptoms, typically emerging 3–6 months postpartum. Significant life changes, societal pressures, sleep deprivation and financial stress contribute to risk. Partners may not present with overt mental health issues but may report stress-related physical symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome.
• Social media depicts unrealistic portrayals of parenthood online and adds pressure to "be perfect". Only 40% of mothers bond with their baby immediately, but societal and online narratives can make this feel like failure. Encourage patients to accept their genuine emotions and talk openly. “Feel as you feel, not how you think you’re supposed to feel.”
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder and intrusive thoughts are extremely common but rarely vocalised – 100% of new mothers have intrusive thoughts about accidental harm to their baby, and 50% experience thoughts of intentional harm (without intent to act; isolated harming intrusions are infrequently associated with increased risk of violence). Creating a safe space for nonjudgmental disclosure can ease a mother’s burden.
• Although rare, postpartum psychosis poses a significant risk in the first few weeks after birth and marks the highest lifetime risk of psychosis for women. Symptoms are usually overt and require urgent attention.
• Consider the wide spectrum of perinatal mental health conditions affecting both mothers and partners. By normalising open conversations and staying informed, healthcare professionals can provide better care and reduce stigma.

Related references

1. Coventry and Warwickshire Training Hub. https://midlandspnmh.co.uk/.
2. Scarff JR. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):11-14.
3. Pérez FC, et al. Mental Health & Prevention. 2017;7:28-36. doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2017.07.001.
4. Collardeau F, et al. BMC Psychiatry. 2019;19:94. doi: 10.1186/s12888-019-2067-x.
5. NCT. https://www.nct.org.uk/information/life-parent/wellbeing-mental-health/postnatal-depression-dads-and-co-parents-10-things-you-should-know.
6. RCOG. https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/rcog-engagement-listening-to-patients/maternal-mental-health-womens-voices.
7. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/your-mental-health/.