What it is
It is a medical emergency and needs treatment straight away, often in a specialist mother and baby unit.
Treatment includes medicines and support. With treatment, most people make a full recovery. A plan is usually made for future pregnancies.
Common signs
- Hearing, seeing or believing things that are not real
- A high mood or being very talkative
- Severe confusion
- Losing touch with reality
- Being restless, agitated or not sleeping
- Low mood, fear or suspicion
How it is usually diagnosed
- Urgent assessment by a mental health team
- Checks to rule out physical causes
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Mental health assessment letters
- Hospital or mother and baby unit discharge letters
- Medicine lists
- Care plans for future pregnancies
Questions to ask your doctor
- What support will we have at home?
- What is the plan for any future pregnancy?
- Which medicines are safe while breastfeeding?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Any signs of psychosis after birth, or thoughts of harming yourself or the baby: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.