North Shore (09) 486 8900
Waitakere (09) 839 0000

Maternal Mental Health Service

  • Maternal Mental Health is a small, specialist tertiary mental health team
  • The team provides a service to women who:
    • are pregnant or have a baby under 12 months of age
    • have developed a severe mental health illness related to:
    • the experience of pregnancy, childbirth 
    • and/or the adjustment to motherhood
  • Referrals are directed in the first instance to the woman's local community mental health team for triage/assessment
  • Maternal Mental Health accepts referrals from other secondary mental health services including:
    • community mental health teams
    • psychiatric liaison services
    • psychiatrists in private practice
    • other maternal mental health teams

Women with existing mental illness

  • Pregnant women who have bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia or a past history of psychosis, who are currently well can be referred directly to the team
  • A plan will be developed in conjunction with the woman aimed at supporting their well being during the period of birth and the postpartum period
  • A pre-conception assessment is offered to women with severe mental illness (e.g. bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia) who are planning to have a baby

GP consultation

  • A phone consultation service is provided to GPs
  • The Maternal Mental Health specialist doctors can advise on medications used during pregnancy
  • In particular with women who are in their first trimester and with women who are breastfeeding

Locations

  • North Shore Hospital
    Ph (09) 488 4634
    Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm
    Duty Clinician available for urgent calls: Ph (09) 488 4634 
    After hours and weekends please contact the mental health acute/crisis team via North Shore Hospital Ph (09) 486 1491
    Women can be assessed and seen at venues convenient to them e.g. WDHB facilities, home, community setting
  • Waitakere Hospital
    Child Health Unit
    Ph (09) 488 4634
    Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm
    Duty Clinician available for urgent calls: Ph (09) 488 4634
    After hours and weekends please contact the mental health acute/crisis team via North Shore Hospital Ph (09) 486 1491
    Women can be assessed and seen at venues convenient to them e.g. WDHB facilities, home, community setting