Specialist maternal mental health · London
Perinatal mental health - private in London.
Whatever you are feeling in pregnancy or the two years after your baby arrives, you are not alone and this is treatable. Consultant-led private care in London for depression, anxiety, OCD, birth trauma and more serious postnatal illness, delivered by clinicians who work in the perinatal period every week.
What we treat
Conditions in the perinatal period.
Perinatal covers pregnancy and the first 24 months after birth. These are the conditions our specialists see most often. All are treatable.
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Antenatal and postnatal depression
Persistent low mood, tearfulness, loss of interest and difficulty enjoying your baby, in pregnancy or in the first two years after birth.
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Perinatal anxiety, GAD and panic
Constant worry about the baby, health anxiety, physical symptoms, panic attacks and avoidance of everyday tasks.
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Tokophobia (fear of birth)
A profound fear of pregnancy or childbirth that can drive requests for caesarean, avoidance of care, or intense distress in the third trimester.
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Birth-related PTSD
Flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance and hyperarousal after a traumatic pregnancy loss, birth or neonatal experience.
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Perinatal OCD
Frequent intrusive thoughts, often about harm coming to the baby, with checking, avoidance or reassurance seeking. These thoughts are distressing but not a sign you are dangerous.
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Postpartum psychosis
A rare psychiatric emergency, usually in the first two weeks after birth, with rapid mood change, confusion, delusions or mania. Needs urgent assessment.
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Complex PMDD and perimenopausal overlap
Severe premenstrual and hormonal mood conditions that flare in the postnatal period, especially after weaning.
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Bipolar illness in pregnancy and postpartum
A higher-risk group who need a written pre-birth plan and specialist psychiatric input from early pregnancy.
When to seek help
Signs it is time to speak to someone.
The baby blues in the first fortnight after birth are common and lift on their own. If any of the following sound like you, please reach out to us, your GP or your health visitor.
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Low mood that has lasted more than two weeks
Not just a bad day. Persistent sadness, numbness or hopelessness that will not lift.
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You cannot bond with your baby
Feeling distant, disconnected or that your baby is a stranger. This is a symptom, not a failing.
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Intrusive or frightening thoughts
Repeated distressing images or thoughts, particularly about harm. Perinatal OCD is common and very treatable.
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Panic, racing heart, cannot catch your breath
Physical anxiety symptoms that stop you leaving the house or looking after the baby the way you want to.
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Insomnia beyond the newborn norm
You cannot sleep even when the baby is settled. Sleep loss in this pattern is a warning sign.
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Suicidal thoughts, or thoughts of harming yourself or the baby
In an emergency call 999 or go to A&E.
Treatment options
The right treatment, for you and your baby.
Perinatal care is not standard adult mental health care with a baby in the room. It is a specialism, and the therapist and psychiatrist you see should work in this field every week.
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Perinatal-specialist CBT
Structured, evidence-based talking therapy delivered by a therapist trained in the perinatal period. Effective for depression, anxiety, OCD and health anxiety.
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Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Focuses on role change, identity in early motherhood, and relationships. Recommended by NICE for perinatal depression.
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EMDR for birth trauma
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is a first-line NICE-recommended treatment for post-traumatic stress after a difficult birth or loss.
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Perinatal-specialist psychiatry
Consultant psychiatrists who work with pregnant and breastfeeding women every week, and who understand the risk-benefit conversation you need to have.
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Careful medication choice
Where medication is needed, sertraline and paroxetine are typical first-line SSRIs in the postnatal period. Olanzapine is often used where mood stabilisation is needed, including in bipolar illness.
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Partner and family sessions
A short structured session that helps your partner understand what you are experiencing and how to support recovery at home.
Medication in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Medication safety, in plain language.
Deciding on medication in pregnancy or while breastfeeding is one of the most sensitive conversations we have. It is an individual, informed decision and we will give you the evidence to make it well.
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SSRIs are generally considered safe in pregnancy. Sertraline is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for pregnant and breastfeeding women in the UK.
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Untreated moderate to severe depression in pregnancy carries its own risks. The decision is not medication versus nothing, it is medication versus untreated illness.
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Benzodiazepines are used short-term and cautiously, usually only for a defined crisis, and not as a routine treatment.
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Every plan is individualised. Your consultant weighs your history, current symptoms, breastfeeding plans and previous response.
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The UK Teratology Information Service (UKTIS) and its patient site bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) are the reference we and your NHS team use.
Inpatient care
Mother and Baby Units, when they are needed.
For a small group of women with severe postnatal illness, inpatient admission alongside your baby is the right and recommended pathway. Here is how it works in the UK.
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NHS Mother and Baby Units are the gold standard
For severe postpartum illness such as postpartum psychosis or severe depression with risk, admission to an NHS MBU with your baby is the recommended pathway. There are around 20 across the UK.
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Private inpatient equivalents
The Priory Roehampton and Nightingale Hospital offer private inpatient mental health care in London. These are not always mother-and-baby beds, and admission needs consultant assessment.
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Bethlem NHS partnership
The specialist NHS MBU at the Bethlem Royal Hospital accepts private and self-referred patients through consultant pathways where clinically appropriate.
Indicative pricing
What private perinatal care costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our vetted London network.
| Option | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial perinatal psychiatrist assessment | £350–£850 | 60–90 min | Same week |
| Follow-up consultant review | £200–£450 | 30–45 min | Weekly to monthly |
| CBT, IPT or EMDR session | £100–£220 | 50 min | Usually weekly |
| Perinatal MDT care package (12 weeks) | £2,800–£6,500 | 12 weeks | Structured programme |
| Private inpatient MBU-equivalent (per week) | Variable, from £4,500 | Per week | On assessment |
Insurance frequently covers outpatient perinatal psychiatry and therapy. Inpatient MBU-equivalent care is variable and we always check cover for you before booking.
Where care is delivered
Where we send patients in London.
A small panel of clinics and hospitals with genuine perinatal experience, chosen and named by us.
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The Priory Roehampton
Private inpatient and day-patient mental health care in south-west London, including perinatal pathways.
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Nightingale Hospital
Central London private psychiatric hospital with perinatal-experienced consultants and outpatient care.
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The London Psychiatry Centre
Outpatient perinatal psychiatry and medication reviews in central London.
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One Welbeck Mental Health
Modern outpatient mental health clinic in central London with perinatal-trained psychiatrists and therapists.
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The Portland Hospital perinatal team
Well-known private maternity hospital with links to perinatal psychiatry and psychology services.
Emergency
Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency.
Postpartum psychosis usually appears rapidly in the first two weeks after birth. It affects around 1 to 2 in 1,000 births. It is treatable and recovery is the norm, but it needs urgent care.
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Rapid change in mood within days of birth
Elation followed by despair, or a sudden shift in how you are speaking or acting, in the first two weeks after birth is a red flag.
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Delusions, paranoia or feeling unreal
Believing something is happening that others do not see or believe, or feeling that you or the baby are not real.
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Confusion, agitation or not sleeping at all
Being unable to sleep even when exhausted, agitated pacing, or not knowing where you are.
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What to do
Call 999, go to A&E, or call NHS 111 and say the words postpartum psychosis. Admission to a Mother and Baby Unit is the expected pathway and recovery with treatment is the norm.
Frequently asked
Straight answers on medication, therapy format, insurance and inpatient access.
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Is there an SSRI that is compatible with breastfeeding?
Yes. Sertraline is the most commonly used SSRI in breastfeeding women in the UK, with very low levels in breast milk and a long track record. Paroxetine is also used. The final choice depends on what has worked for you before, your current symptoms and your consultant’s advice.
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Can therapy be done online?
Yes. Perinatal CBT, IPT and even EMDR can be delivered securely online, which is often the practical choice when you have a young baby, a c-section recovery or older children at home. Some consultants prefer a first session in person then move online.
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Will private medical insurance cover this?
Many UK policies (Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA, Aviva) cover perinatal psychiatric assessment and a defined number of therapy sessions where there is a clinical diagnosis. Cover for inpatient care and MBUs is more variable.
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Can my partner be involved?
Yes, and often should be. Partner and family sessions are a routine part of perinatal care and are shown to help recovery. Your partner does not have to attend every session, but their understanding of the plan matters.
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How do I get access to a Mother and Baby Unit?
MBU admission is a clinical decision made by a perinatal psychiatrist, usually in urgent situations. NHS MBUs are free at the point of use. Private inpatient equivalents can be arranged same day where clinically indicated. We help route this either way.
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How long does recovery take?
For mild to moderate perinatal depression or anxiety, many women feel meaningful improvement within 6 to 12 weeks of starting the right treatment. Perinatal OCD and birth-related PTSD often respond well to a focused course of CBT or EMDR over 8 to 20 sessions. Postpartum psychosis usually needs a longer treatment plan and follow-up.
Related
Related pages you may want.
Whenever you are ready