antenatal screening programme
Antenatal and postnatal mental health
Antenatal and postnatal mental health conditions include a range of common mental health disorders. The nature of most of these conditions may range from mild to severe, requiring different kinds of care or treatment and support.
Management and treatment of mental health conditions during pregnancy and the postnatal period is different from other times in the women’s life, because of the potential impact they could have on her baby.
Untreated, these conditions can lead to ongoing mental health challenges, difficult relationships and negative impacts on the child’s development.
Read more about mental health in pregnancy and postnatal depression on the NHS website.
UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in March 2026.
A population screening programme for antenatal and postnatal mental health conditions is not recommended because:
- new evidence on screening tools and interventions was limited and did not resolve uncertainties about the accuracy of screening tools
- no new evidence was identified about whether the clinical detection and management of mental health conditions is currently well implemented in the UK
Antenatal screening should be offered to women who have a history of psychiatric illness according to clinical guidelines.
Supporting documents from the 2026 review
Evidence map
This document investigates whether a more detailed review can be conducted based on the available evidence.
Coversheet
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Supporting documents from the 2019 review
In 2019, the UK NSC did not recommend screening for this condition.
Evidence summary antenatal and postnatal mental health (2019)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
UK NSC coversheet & consultation responses antenatal & postnatal mental health (2019)
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2026
Next review estimated to be completed: 2029 to 2030.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in Antenatal and postnatal mental health
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services
- Institute of Health Visiting
- Mind
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- The British Psychological Society
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.