About Us
Scotland’s first specialist perinatal mental health inpatient and community service for mothers, babies and their families.
We are a comprehensive service providing care and treatment to women who are pregnant or are up to one year postnatal and are at risk of, or are affected by, mental illness. We also offer expert advice to women considering pregnancy if they are at risk of a serious mental illness.
Our service consists of:
West of Scotland Mother and Baby Unit (MBU)
Scotland’s first MBU for perinatal mental health was opened in September 2004 at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.
We are now called the West of Scotland Mother & Baby Unit and relocated to Leverndale Hospital in January 2014.
Community Perinatal Mental Health Team (CPMHT)
The CPMHT cares for people across the whole NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
We also provide a maternity liaison service to all NHSGGC Maternity hospitals.
Maternal Mental Health
Around 1 in 10 women will experience postnatal depression after having a baby. Depression and anxiety are equally as common during pregnancy. Most women recover with help from their GP, health visitor, midwife and with support from family and friends. However severe depression requires additional help from mental health services.
The symptoms of postnatal depression are similar to those in depression at other times. These include low mood, sleep and appetite problems, poor motivation and pessimistic or negative thinking.
Two in 1000 women will experience postpartum psychosis. The symptoms of this illness can come on quite rapidly, often within the first few days or weeks after delivery, and can include high mood (mania), depression, confusion, hallucinations (odd experiences) and delusions (unusual beliefs). Admission to a MBU is advised for most women, accompanied by their baby. Women usually make a full recovery but treatment is urgently necessary if symptoms of postpartum psychosis develop.