Sometimes after having a baby, or during pregnancy, your loved one might find that their mental health has become too challenging to manage by themselves. Their doctor or psychiatrist will recommend they be admitted for specialist support. This admission could be into a Parent Infant Mental Health Unit, sometimes known as a Mother-Baby Unit or at a general inpatient facility (generally without their baby).
By staying at a residential care facility, your loved one can receive more intensive support. It’s not uncommon for new parents to be offered a residential stay. Having your loved one staying away from home may present some questions and challenges for you and you may find it helpful to reach out to the staff at the facility.
Questions to ask
Some common questions you can ask your loved one’s care facility:
- What types of support and treatment will they be offered during their stay?
- Can the baby go with them?
- How long will they be there?
- Can they have visitors during their stay?
- Can they leave the facility during the day or on the weekends?
- Can I join them and stay overnight?
- Who cares for the baby while my loved one is in there?
- What happens when they go home?
Practical tips
Practical tips
- Help your loved one advocate for themselves. They may find it difficult to ask important questions relating to their care or treatment.
- Stay connected with your loved one as much as you can while they are in hospital.
- Try to feel reassured that this time will pass and your loved one won’t be in there forever.
- Help your loved one find a psychiatrist/psychologist who they feel comfortable with.
- Remember that your loved one doesn’t want to be unwell. Your love and support will make a big difference in their recovery.
Looking after yourself
Support for you
You may feel overwhelmed by what is happening as you try your best to support your loved one. Many family members are doing their best to put on a brave face, but you need support too. If you need to speak to someone about how you are feeling, you can reach out to PANDA on 1300 726 306 for a confidential discussion.
If you have older children, it’s best to tell them that their mother needs to go to hospital, just like she would if she had a physical injury or illness and needed care. Try to provide some age-appropriate information about why she is in hospital as well as reassurance that she is being looked after by the doctors and nurses and that as soon as she is feeling better she will be back home again.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what sort of support to offer your loved one. You may feel worried about saying or doing the wrong thing. Your loved one might find it helpful if you ask them what they need from you. Sometimes all they need in that moment is a hug.
Going home
What happens when your loved one goes home?
When your loved one goes home, she will gently continue her recovery journey which will include continuing to take her medication and attend regular appointments with her mental health care providers, such as counsellors and psychiatrists. She may receive some home visits too.
Some mothers or birthing parents may choose to initially limit their surroundings to one room of their house when they return home so that they can maximise bed rest and avoid feeling like they need to become involved with the daily running of the household straight away.
If you have other friends or family that you can reach out to for support, try to remember that often people want to help but don’t know how.
Your loved one may want to live with extended family for a few weeks or months, where possible, so that they can have some additional help as they adjust to life outside of their residential care facility.
Slowly, with your help and support, your loved one will be better able to cope with the normal challenges of parenthood.
Everyone’s journey is different, and it will take time for your loved one to slowly adjust to life as a parent after a residential stay.
Parent and Infant Units
Watch the videos for more information about the types of support services available for parents in the perinatal period and experiences from two mums who have experienced Parent and Infant Units.
Fiona's story: Admission to a Parent-Infant Unit/Mother-Baby Unit
"When I first heard about the Parent and Infant Unit, it terrified me. But it came to the point where everyone knew that it was going to be the best option for me.
When it came to me leaving, I felt so comfortable that I didn't want to go home. It was fantastic support.
I'm at a point where I never thought I'd get to again, where I feel happiness."
Articles
More information about Parent and Infant Units and inpatient facilities
Mental health checklist
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Everyone’s experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting is unique and brings different rewards and challenges. Our mental health checklist can help you to see if what you’re experiencing or observing in a loved one could be reason to seek help.
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