September 2025
What is your current role?
I am working on secondment as the mental health midwife at St Thomas' Hospital for 12 months. I support pregnant women and birthing people with severe mental health conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorders or a history of psychosis. I also support people with mild to moderate mental health concerns during pregnancy who require some extra advice, support or signposting to other services.
I run a weekly online mental health and wellbeing session for all pregnant women and birthing people. This session covers information about antenatal and postnatal mental health such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and the support available. You can find out more about these, as well as our antenatal classes and our other workshops on the Guy’s and St Thomas’ website.
Tell us about a typical day
Each day I have an antenatal clinic where I see women and birthing people for routine midwifery appointments and have appointments with those who need extra support or advice about their mental health.
When I’m not in clinic I'm doing admin or attending meetings with my colleagues in the perinatal mental health teams. I also teach colleagues about how best to support people who need help with their mental health. I provide support to staff in person on the wards and also over the phone or by email where needed.
What's the best thing about your job?
I really enjoy getting to know women and birthing people and their families during their pregnancies. It is a privilege to work with them and support them during this time in their lives. It feels like I can make a difference by encouraging positive outcomes and helping them to prepare as much as possible for their lives as new parents.
Wy is it so important to mark Black Maternal Mental Health week?
Recognised nationally, Black Maternal Mental Health week aims to promote education, advocacy, and support for Black women and birthing people during their pregnancy and postpartum journey. By shedding light on the unique mental health disparities they experience, the week-long campaign strives to foster understanding and drive positive change in maternal healthcare practices.
Pregnancy itself can be a trigger for mental health conditions. Sometimes people experience symptoms for the first time in their lives, and sometimes it can exacerbate pre-existing conditions. We know that with the right support and care, we can help reduce risks and support pregnant women and birthing people to be as emotionally supported and safe as possible.
By participating and supporting this initiative, we can contribute to positive change and work towards a future where all women and birthing people receive the mental health support they deserve.
Thank you to the children and young people who have so brilliantly illustrated our blog pages.