The Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service

• 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Post Birth Wellbeing Plan. Minding Me, HSE Booklet

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

Patient Information Brochures

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