Information on

Antenatal Depression and Anxiety

Signs and Symptoms

  • Feeling low, tearful or crying
  • Problems with sleep – tired all the time or
  • feeling exhausted even when you have had rest
  • No interest in things that you used to enjoy
  • Loss of confidence
  • Loss of appetite or comfort eating
  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  • Anxiety, feeling nervous, on edge
  • Panic attacks
  • Worry over the birth
  • Irritability
  • Lack of energy and motivation
  • Feeling guilt & shame about how you feel
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Not caring about your appearance or
  • surroundings at home
  • Negative thoughts

About Antenatal Depression and Anxiety

Pregnancy is a time of many changes for a woman. You may find the changes and uncertainties that pregnancy can bring difficult to manage. You may have mixed or negative feelings about pregnancy, birth and becoming a mother. You may not even understand, or you may feel confused by how you are feeling.

If you feel like you may be suffering from depression, we have a support and counselling service tailored to help you. Please remember you are not alone and you can call us in confidence. We will help you to access the support which is right for you.

Firstly, we want to help you understand more about Antenatal Depression and what can be done to help.

Common worries for mums to be:

• Fear that there will be problems with the pregnancy or the baby
• Change in your role (becoming a mum, stopping work)
• Will I be a good parent?
• Change in your relationship with your partner
• Fear of childbirth (can be known as tokophobia)
• Lack of support and being alone
• Will I be able to manage?

If you have worries or concerns about your pregnancy and birth please talk to your Midwife, Consultant or GP. It is extremely important you attend your antenatal appointments and those health professionals can help you. At House of Light we can offer one to one counselling and support to help you cope throughout your pregnancy.

If you have found out you are pregnant and are on medication, you MUST consult with your GP as soon as possible. DO NOT stop or start taking any medication without your GP’s advice.
Accept help. Any offers of help from friends or family which will make life a little easier should always be accepted. You do not need to be wonder woman (no one really is).

House of Light works in Hull and East Riding. For information on support services in your area find your nearest children’s centre, they usually have all the information available on local services or you can call us on 0800 043 2031.

Speak over the phone

Our helpline is open Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm.

Call 01482 580499
Freephone 0800 043 2031

If you’d like to email

[email protected]
Online enquiry form

Support Group

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Postnatal Depression

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