Caring for women
before, during & after pregnancy
I offer assessment and treatment for women aged 18 and over with a range of mental health problems in the perinatal period. I also see women who are currently well but have a personal or family history of mental illness for pre-conception counselling. I work with women and their partners to plan a safe and positive pregnancy and birth experience, by offering advice about lifestyle, mental illness, medication choices, parenting and breastfeeding.
About perinatal
mental health
Making the decision to have a baby is one of the most important choices a woman will make and becoming a parent is a life changing experience. You may be presented with a variety of emotional challenges as a result of psychological, social or biological factors. It is common to be excited and happy as well as anxious and overwhelmed. Women with mental health conditions may have additional worries. These include the possibility of becoming unwell and whether or not to take medication in pregnancy and when breastfeeding. There may be concern about the impact of previous difficult relationships, childhood experiences and other traumatic events on the woman’s mental health and relationship with her baby.
It is important to have the right help, advice and support so that you stay as well as possible during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health in pregnancy and after birth, and each has the potential to affect the other.
Women can experience many different types of mental health problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period. Some women may have experienced mental health problems before pregnancy; others become unwell for the first time in pregnancy or after delivery. Just like at other times, there is a range of severity.
About me
Dr Caroline E. J. Crabb
MBBS DRCOG DCH Dip Grad (arts) FRANZCP
I am a Consultant Psychiatrist, specialising in providing care for women with mental health problems in the perinatal period – that is, women who are either planning a pregnancy, pregnant or in the months following childbirth.
Whether or not you’ve seen a psychiatrist of sought help for mental health concerns before, you may be worried about doing so during this important chapter in your life. You need not be. As many as one in five women experience mental health problems during pregnancy and the year after giving birth: it can happen to anyone. Seeking treatment and support means you are doing the best for you, your baby and family.
Many women for whom I have provided care have said it was a relief to be able to talk to someone who understands what they are going through, does not judge them and offers the expertise to help them make informed decisions about their care and treatment. By the end of the first appointment, the initial assessment, most women express how much more relaxed they feel.
My approach is to work in collaboration with you. This includes providing up to date information based on evidence-based research and clinical experience to help you weigh the risks and benefits to you and your baby of taking medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you suffer from a pre-existing mental illness, I can offer advice about the risks you face of becoming unwell in pregnancy and after your delivery and the support and treatment that will help you stay as well as possible.
You are very welcome to bring your partner, another family member of close friend to some or all of your appointments. If you agree, I can speak with the other professionals involved in your care. I work in close partnership with obstetricians, midwives, child health nurses, GPs and mental health practitioners.
I am passionate about my role in helping women to enjoy pregnancy and parenthood. The perinatal period is a pivotal period in laying down strong foundations for enduring good mental health and my aim is to ensure the best outcomes for women, their babies and families.
Public Health Posts
I am currently a Consultation – Liaison Psychiatrist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital with expertise in the interface of physical and mental health, including eating disorders and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Previously I worked as a Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist at King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women and Newborns (KEMH), where I worked on the Mother and Baby Unit providing consultation and liaison services within the Department of Psychological Medicine. I have worked across several services within KEMH, including the State-wide Women and Newborn Drug and Alcohol Service (WANDAS), State Genetics Service, Fetal-Maternal Medicine Service, Oncology and Women with Menopausal Symptoms after Cancer Service.
Teaching and Training
I have full specialist and generalist medical registration with AHPRA am accredited as a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and associate member of the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists. I am a Member of Council of the Australian Medical Association (WA).
I graduated as a doctor from London University, my undergraduate training at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School (now Imperial College). Previous to working in psychiatry in 2011, I worked for many years as a GP specialising in women’s and children’s health with Diplomas in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG, UK) and Child Health (Royal College of Physicians, London).
During my perinatal psychiatry fellowship training in Western Australia, I worked within community perinatal services at Rockingham and Peel Mental Health Services, on the Mother and Baby Units at both KEMH and Fiona Stanley Hospital and in a Consultation-Liaison role at both KEMH and the Raphael St John of God Service.
I have several years’ experience of teaching and training other professionals to help them recognise and deliver care for women with mental health problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period. This includes training junior doctors, maternity staff, GPs, psychiatry registrars and other mental health professionals. I have delivered lectures and workshops on perinatal psychiatry both locally and internationally. I currently coordinate the WA Perinatal and Infant Peer Group.
Publications
Get in touch
Appointments
I prefer to have a referral from your GP or obstetrician but happy to discuss with paediatrician, midwife, child health nurse or another mental health clinician.
Locations
St John of God Hospital
In-patient consultation
Liaison for obstetric patients
12 Salvado Road, Subiaco WA 6008
Hollywood Clinic
In-patient adult psychiatry admissions
Suite 25 Hollywood Specialist Centre
95 Monash Avenue
Nedlands WA 6009