Having a baby is an emotional and stressful time and can have a profound effect on a woman's mental health.

One in 10 women are affected by post-natal depression (PND), yet only one in four seek advice and treatment to deal with their symptoms which can include feeling tired, increased or lost appetite, loss of sex drive and a lack of interest in the new baby.

Many women go through the baby blues, feeling tearful and hopeless but if this lasts longer than around 10 days, the new mother could be suffering from the beginnings of PND.

It is usually four to six weeks after delivery when PND fully develops but in some women the symptoms do not show for several months.

Sue Conroy is a researcher at the Institute of Psychiatry, which is linked to South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM). She has worked on studies into PND and run focus groups to help women suffering the condition.

She said: "There are some effective treatments available such as talking therapies, which encourage women to look at their situation from a positive angle, helping them to cope better.

"Some women are prescribed anti- depressants but some are reluctant to take them if they are breastfeeding.

"Treatments can take time but women do gradually recover."

SLaM's mother and baby unit also offers support and runs sessions such as baby massage which can help women with PND as they are brought closer to their baby and feel they are doing something constructive which is beneficial to the child's wellbeing.

There is another stage of PND known as post-natal psychosis. One in 1,000 women are affected by this and suffer from severe symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. Sue says women must be admitted into hospital in such cases.

There is no definitive cause for any stage of PND and Sue says despite popular belief the condition has little to do with hormones.

There are, however, risk factors to look out for; if a women has suffered with depression previously for example if they have had PND before or if a patient has any anxiety surrounding finances or the health of an unwell baby.

There are some screening practices in place in perinatal clinics and midwives ask expectant mothers questions about their mental wellbeing, in an attempt to spot signs of potential PND sufferers.

Antinatal mental health is currently the subject of ongoing study in relation to PND.

If a woman is seen to be at potential risk, a preventative anti-depressant can be prescribed.