NEW mums in Redditch and Bromsgrove are to get more support thanks to a share of a £350,000 cash boost.

The Worcestershire Perinatal Mental Health team, run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, is getting a slice of £350,000 secured through the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.

It is hoped that new mums will benefit from increased access to psychological therapies and interventions, specialist occupational therapists and community nursery nurses to offer work related maternal bonding.

Up to 20 per cent of women are affected by perinatal mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child.

If left untreated, perinatal mental health problems can have significant and long-lasting effects on the woman and her family.

Redditch MP Rachel Maclean welcomed the news.

“I was a postnatal teacher for two years following the birth of my fourth child so I well know how critical and important support for women with perinatal mental health problems is.

"I often had women with postnatal depression on my courses. It was poorly understood and diagnosed. The pressure on women to put on a brave face and pretend everything is okay when they have a new baby is immense."

She added: “Better recognition and support is hugely welcome and this funding boost will make a massive difference to women’s lives here in Redditch and across Worcestershire.”