Who are we?

The BSW Perinatal Service are part of Avon Wiltshire Partnership NHS Trust Specialised Services and offers assessment, advice and support to birthing people registered with a GP in the BANES, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) area.

How to access support

A professional involved in your care (e.g. GP, midwife, health visitor) can refer you. We accept referrals for birthing people from 12 weeks pregnant up to 1 year postnatal. Our specialist perinatal practitioners will review this and contact you to offer advice or book you in for an assessment.

Our assessments can take place online or in person and take between 30-45 minutes. We will ask you about your current situation and mental health needs.

What you can expect from us

We are an access service and can offer a review of your mental health needs to ensure that you are getting the right care and support. This assessment may involve signposting to other services or an offer of support from your local team. We aim to offer assessments within two weeks once we have received a referral.

If you are offered support, we can explore a range of different options with you:

• Alongside a mental health practitioner, you will create an individualised personal wellbeing plan to meet your needs.
• During pregnancy, we will regularly communicate with your maternity service to plan and support your perinatal mental health around birth
• Nursery nurse support (for practical advice and guidance with your baby).
• Groups (for social support and wellbeing)
• Psychology (to help understand your mental health and plan therapies)
• Parent infant therapy (to support bonding with your baby)
• Occupational therapy (to support you to do the activities that are important to you)
• Specialist medical reviews
• Advice and guidance on medication in pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Peer support from someone with lived experience of being supported by our team
• Pre-pregnancy planning (for those who may benefit from a review of complex medications and risks)
• Signposting to other appropriate services, including carers and partner’s support

Families and Carers

We can offer a one-off appointment with your partner, a family member or a carer to discuss their care and support needs and signpost them to local support.

Hear Becky's Story

When Becky became a mother in early 2023, it should have been perfect. She had a career, a husband, and life was good. And when Luca arrived it was a vaginal birth, they bonded immediately, and she was breastfeeding. Everything was going well.

But within nine months of Luca’s birth, Becky was getting intrusive thoughts and was beginning to feel suicidal.

Hear Vicky's Story

Vicky experienced severe perinatal OCD during her pregnancy, a time when overwhelming anxiety and fear of losing her baby consumed her daily life. Now, she draws on that lived experience to support others facing similar struggles.

“I’ve been there. I’m with you. Whatever it takes, we’ll get through this together.”