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"Perinatal mental health"

About: Community Mental Health / Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Community Nurses (Dundee)

(as a service user),

I was referred to perinatal mental health while pregnant with my second daughter.  I have always struggled with depression and anxiety however it was getting increasingly worse.  When my daughter was born she was premature and had to be taken to Edinburgh Royal.  The team at perinatal kept in contact with me and once I was back home the started sessions.  I completed EMDR therapy which was difficult however really helped me work through my previous PTSD and trauma.  Dr Hannah was nothing short of amazing.  She was so kind, made me feel safe and listened to. During out sessions I would have to cancel/rearrange due to poorly children and not having babysitters, however Hannah was always accommodating and understanding.  The work she completed with me has helped my life in ways I can never explain.  I will forever be grateful for all the help and kindness she gave me.   

During my time seeing the perinatal mental health team I also saw Dr Day. He is amazing, he listened carefully to everything I said to help me get the best treatment.  Throughout my appointments Dr Day noticed a pattern in my behaviour and advised it would be best to assess me for bipolar disorder.  I completed this and it was confirmed.  This diagnosis came as a shock and was difficult to process however Dr Day gave me such amazing advice and support to help me come to terms and accept my diagnosis. We looked at all the different types of medication and he ensured I was well informed to make the best decision for myself.  I started the new treatment plan and it has changed my life.  I was on and off various antidepressants for years and for the first time in my life I feel content and happy.  This is all thanks to Dr Day and his expertise.   

Linda who would assist when I forgot appointments, had to change or had a question was always so kind and helpful.  She is an asset to the team. 

Dr Hannah and Dr Day have not only changed my life, but my daughters and partners life.  I am now able to be a mum and partner they can be proud of.  I am able to take my children out without panicking and avoiding simple tasks because I was too scared.  I can play and interact with them in ways I was never able to do before.  I have became myself. Words cannot express the thanks I have for this team, their care and help has been nothing short of amazing.  Thank you.

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Responses

Response from Beth Gow, Tayside Perinatal &Infant Mental Health Team, NHS Tayside 2 days ago
Beth Gow
Tayside Perinatal &Infant Mental Health Team,
NHS Tayside

I am the team leader and my clinical background is in mental health community nursing and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Submitted on 05/11/2025 at 15:17
Published on Care Opinion at 15:17


picture of Beth Gow

Dear mum,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write such detailed feedback about the care and treatment you received from the Tayside Perinatal Mental Health Team during your pregnancy with your second daughter, and in the postnatal period.

It is really fantastic to hear you describe the progress you have made in your recovery journey enabling you to be the best mum you can be to your daughters and enjoy family life with them and your partner. You should be proud of the commitment and hard work you have put into the psychological work you undertook with Dr Hannah, and exploring and coming to terms with a new diagnosis with Dr Day. We appreciate it is not always easy to engage in this work whilst balancing the challenges of being a new mum, meeting the needs of your baby and other children's and managing to commit to appointments.

The whole team always aims to be as compassionate and flexible as we can be in working with mums/parents and I will pass on your appreciation of this to the team. I am sure you will give hope to any mums/parents who read your feedback, who may be experiencing their own struggles, to reach out for support to enable them to feel better.

On behalf of the team, I would like to wish you and your family all the very best for the future.

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