Mental health relating to childbearing

Module code: MW2013

This module includes lead lectures and workshops facilitated by subject specialists, such as specialist midwives and perinatal mental health psychologists, case studies, service users’ experiences, group work, role-play and guided independent study. Insight visits to placements and voluntary organisations supporting parents and families with mental illness will enable you to apply the theory to practice.

Psychological and emotional changes can have potential impacts during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period on the woman, newborn infant, partner and family. Such examples can include perinatal depression, anxiety, psychosis etc. In this module the evidence relating to complex factors that may increase the risk of mental health conditions relating to childbearing will be critically explored and you will learn about the midwife’s role in caring for and supporting childbearing women who require additional care from the mental health services. This includes the safeguarding, legal and policy issues applicable to perinatal mental health, including facilitating collaboration within the multi-professional and inter-agency team.

You will have opportunities to critically evaluate current guidelines, national and local perinatal mental health provision and identify areas for local service development/improvement, including evaluating the assessment, referral pathways and treatment options for mental health conditions relating to childbearing.