Perinatal Mental Health

Perinatal mental health issues affect up to 27% of new and expectant mothers, including conditions like anxiety, depression, OCD, and psychosis. Smoking is a known risk factor, and in Sheffield, around 400–500 women are still smoking at the time of delivery each year.

Poor mental health during pregnancy or after birth can make it harder to bond with a baby and can affect their development both before and after birth. The wider impact is significant too, with the long-term societal costs estimated at £8.1 billion annually.

With perinatal suicides having tripled in 2020 compared to previous years, there is now greater investment in support services across the UK, including right here in Sheffield.

Free support is available from Smokefree Sheffield and the maternity service at The Jessop Wing for mothers, birthing people, their partners and other family members who smoke.

What is the link between smoking and mental health?

It’s important to understand the risks associated with smoking during the perinatal period.

Many people believe that smoking can offer relief from feelings of stress or low mood, but in fact the opposite is true. Smoking can trap people in a dependency cycle and can increase anxiety, stress, low mood and depression in the the long-term.

The mental health benefits

• Stopping smoking during pregnancy can substantially reduce the risk of perinatal depression.
• Stopping smoking can improve perinatal mental health.
• Stopping smoking can improve the overall wellbeing of women in the perinatal period. This can improve the relationship she has with herself and her baby.
• Women experiencing poor perinatal mental health are just as likely as anyone else to quit smoking for good.

Help women and birthing people to stop smoking.

Free support is available from Smokefree Sheffieldand the maternity service at The Jessop Wing for mothers, birthing people, their partners and other family members who smoke.