Nursery World - How to give new mums and babies the best possible start

Being pregnant can be overwhelming, but support is out there, says Professor Lucy Chappell

Chief scientific adviser Professor Lucy Chappell: 'It’s crucial every woman has access to the support they need'

Being pregnant - whether it’s your first time or your fifth – is a huge life change.

And huge life changes, even good ones, can be overwhelming. Pregnancy can bring a rollercoaster of emotions even in the early weeks. And women can feel upset, tearful or anxious in the first few weeks after giving birth – in fact the “baby blues” can affect up to 80 per cent of new mums.

Most women adapt to these changing emotions through pregnancy and after birth with the support of family and friends. But sometimes feelings of or stress persist which can be a sign of antenatal or postnatal depression. This can affect 1 in 10 women, as well as fathers and partners. So it’s important to know where to turn to for help.

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