Prenatal mental health support UK?
Hi, I've shared my anxiety** with a midwife and she offered to refer me to a prenatal mental health group. I told her I will think about it and rejected it for now. The mental health group sounds scary in a sense that I don't want to be labeled as an unstable or unreliable parent etc...
Does anyone have experience with such kind of support groups? Are they even helpful? Do they impact your reputation as a patient/ future parent?
**What I shared with her was my financial worries. I am a sole income provider in my family and I am worried that I won't be able to provide for a child. I have a mortgage to pay and send money to my family abroad, they are in a difficult situation. I've never had children before but I've heard it's very expensive. I also don't understand how to care for a baby and work at the same time. I'm so stressed about our future.
They aren't what you think. Its just a group of mums who have anxiety or mental health issues in common. Please don't let what you perceive other people's impressions to be stop you from doing it. Better to have the support there just in case and not need it, then need it and not have it. Mental health issues don't make you any less of a good parent. In fact putting your reservations on one side and accepting any extra health that is offers makes you a better parent, as you are putting yours and your babies needs ahead of the stigma of "what might people think". I would go for it. They have helped me. Xx