The Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service

The Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service at The National Maternity Hospital is run by a team of multidisciplinary mental health professionals who work with women, their babies and their family/support person to help them stay as well as possible during pregnancy and after birth.

Mental health difficulties in pregnancy and after the birth of a baby are common. Up to 1 in 5 women will experience a mental health problem in pregnancy or postpartum.

Not every woman who experiences a mental health difficulty during this time will need to be referred to the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service at The NMH. The majority of mild to moderate perinatal mental health difficulties can be effectively managed by your GP and/or other primary care and community services.  

The Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service at The NMH provides care to women with complex mental health difficulties and/or women with moderate to severe mental illness in pregnancy and up six months postnatally. 

You can find more details about our referral criteria and the referral process below.

 What we provide:

  • Expertise in working with women with complex, serious mental health difficulties both during pregnancy and after the birth of their baby.
  • Assessment and intervention for women attending The NMH who may be experiencing a significant mental health difficulty or have a history of a serious mental illness. For example, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, major depression or anxiety disorder eating disorders, etc.
  • We work together with women, their family/support person and other healthcare professionals and services involved in their care.
  • We can advise on the benefits and on risks of any psychiatric medication during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
  • We can support and advise on the mother-baby relationship.
  • Based on our initial assessment, individual plans may vary and will depend on the level of support you need. However, sometimes we may need to refer you to an appropriate service outside of the hospital.

Please note:

We do not provide a general counselling service.

We do not provide an emergency/crisis or walk-in service. Patients are seen strictly by appointment only.  

Emergency referrals should be referred to local catchment mental health services or Emergency Department/liaison psychiatric service.

We do not accept self-referrals

Administration Hours
Monday - Friday: 8am – 3pm
Tel: (01) 637 3128
Referral Email: spmhs@nmh.ie

Meet the Team
  • Dr. Catherine Hinds (Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist)
  • Dr. Cornelia Carey (Senior Registrar in Psychiatry)
  • Dr. Aoife Menton (Senior Clinical Psychologist)
  • Adele Kane (Senior Mental Health Social Worker)
  • Fidelma Shortall (Occupational Therapist)
  • Megan O’Malley (CNS in Mental Health)
  • Elaine Smyth (CNS in Mental Health)
  • Georgina Mulligan (Mental health Midwife)
  • Deirdre Molloy (Mental Health Midwife)
The Referral Process

The Service accepts referrals for:

  • Women experiencing moderate to severe perinatal mental health difficulties in pregnancy or up to six months postnatally.
  • Women with a pre-existing serious mental illness who have a diagnosis of BPAD, Schizophrenia or any other psychosis, major depression or anxiety disorders, OCD and eating disorders.
  • Women with a pre-existing mental illness who may need preconception advice around medication.

Women must be attending The NMH for their pregnancy or have delivered their baby in The NMH within the last six months.

Who can refer:

  • Internal referrals are accepted from midwives, obstetricians or other allied health care professionals in The NMH.
  • External referrals are accepted from GPs or community mental health teams. Please refer to our external referral guidelines.
  • Public health nurses (PHN) who have concerns about a woman’s mental health should refer them to their GP. If there are any barriers to the woman accessing their GP or if there are any acute risk issues, we would advise that PHNs contact the Perinatal Mental Health Service at The NMH for advice.
  • Emergency referrals should be referred to local catchment mental health services or Emergency Department/liaison psychiatric service.
  • We do not accept self-referrals.
  • We do not accept referrals from public health nurses.
Antenatal Mental Health Education Classes

Our Perinatal Mental Team have developed two online classes focussing on mental wellbeing in pregnancy and beyond. These classes explore the possible emotional and psychological adjustments you may go through during your pregnancy and into the postnatal period. All women attending The NMH are welcome to attend our mental health education classes

'Healthy Minds in Pregnancy' 

This is a practical class where you will have the opportunity to learn and practice strategies that can support your mental health during pregnancy, including anxiety management techniques. To get the most from this class please log on from a comfortable, private space.

This class takes place online on the 4th Friday of each month.

Email classes@nmh.ie to get further information and register for the class.

For more information on our Healthy Minds in Pregnancy class please see our leaflet

'Supporting your Postnatal Emotional Wellbeing" (participants are invited to join this class in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and/or the postnatal period).

This class focuses on the transition and adjustment of motherhood, whether this is your first baby or you have had a baby before. We provide information on supporting your mental health postnatally, what to look out for and how/where to seek help if you are concerned about your mental health.

Email classes@nmh.ie to get further information and register for the class.

Positive Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of enormous change and can be a wonderful, special, unique time. However, for some women pregnancy can be a time when they may develop mental health or emotional difficulties or psychological distress.

Most women have good mental health during pregnancy but for some they may already have mental health difficulties when they get pregnant. Others worry about mental health difficulties they have had in the past. They fear relapsing during pregnancy or after childbirth. Some women experience mental health difficulties for the first time in pregnancy.

Please click here to view or download this article in full.

You and Your Baby

The first few weeks of getting to know your baby can be a huge adjustment in so many ways.  In the first few weeks and months of their life your baby needs to feel safe, secure and comforted. As you engage with your baby and observe them you will learn how to respond to their cues.

Babies are attracted to faces. Even shortly after birth, when they are alert, babies have the capacity to be social. They have a sense of sound and smell and may turn to familiar voices and people. Their eyes are slowly adjusting to seeing the world, appreciating difference and distance. They begin to mimic.

Try this: when your baby is alert and gazing at you, open your eyes really wide and stick out your tongue, now wait.... chances are your baby will try and mimic you. But remember this may take a few minutes, as they are learning how to use their brain. Each baby is different and the birth, health and alertness of your baby may affect how quickly they respond to you.

Remember that getting to know your baby is a process. If you are a first time parent you have not done this before, if you already have children this time may be a completely different experience too.

Patient Information Booklets

Post Birth Wellbeing Plan. Minding Me, HSE Booklet

Looking after your Mental Health during Pregnancy and Beyond. Minding Me, HSE Booklet

Patient Information Brochures

Useful Links

COPE: Centre of Perinatal Excellence
High quality, practical information – to help YOU work through all the emotional challenges of becoming and being a parent.

ZERO TO THREE
works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development.

beyondblue
Provides information and support to help everyone achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

The Motherhood Programme

Practical educational support for people who are pregnant, new parents and their families and friends.

Beaumont Hospital Mindfulness and Relaxation Centre

Mindfulness and Relaxation Centre at Beaumont Hospital for useful audio clips for exercises