Pregnancy and after birth

These articles cover mental health in pregnancy and after birth, including antenatal anxiety, postpartum depression, pregnancy loss and postpartum psychosis. They're written for mothers, fathers and the families around them.

In Nigeria, a new mother is expected to be joyful and grateful, so many struggle in silence. Antenatal and postnatal care is built around the mother, and fathers are rarely asked how they're coping. Pregnancy loss is seldom spoken about, and because many couples tell no one until three or four months, the grief often goes unseen.

Start with postpartum depression in new mothers, which explains how it differs from the baby blues, and postnatal depression in fathers. Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency. If a new mother is confused, not sleeping at all, or seeing or hearing things that aren't there, get her to a hospital the same day or call 112, and read what to do.

If low mood or anxiety in pregnancy or after birth won't lift, you can talk to a licensed therapist on Mytherapist.ng from home, around your baby's schedule. Free support lines are on our helplines page.