Mums from Rutland and Leicestershire should be able tio get extra support from a new chain of Maternal Mental Health Hubs.

The NHS yesterday said 26 centres will be up-and-running by the end of 2021-22 and will provide services to new, expectant and bereaved mothers.

Leicestershire has been named as a site for one of the first ten, which are expected to open within six months, offering maternity services, reproductive health and psychological therapy under one roof.

NHS England said that around 6,000 women will receive care and treatment for a wide range of mental health issues from post-traumatic stress disorder after giving birth to others with a severe fear of childbirth, as part of the pilots, by the end of 2021/22.

In addition to offering psychological therapies for new and expectant mums, the clinics will also provide training for maternity staff and midwives.

Rutland MP Alicia Kearns, who became a mum for the second time in the New Year, said: "Very welcome news for mums, women and families across Rutland & Melton as Leicestershire is to gain Maternal Mental Health Hub.

"It will be built in Leicestershire to transform support available to new and expectant mothers, and families who lose babies."

The MP continued: "Bringing together maternity services, reproductive health & psychological therapy under one roof is so important to provide care for issues ranging from post-traumatic stress disorder after giving birth, to trauma after losing a baby, to others with a severe fear of childbirth

"No one expects to find it as tough as it can be, and sadly the overly glamourised representations of birth and maternity in movies and TV and common parlance around "baby blues" has done a big disservice to mothers & families. From my own experience I know how hard it can be."

She added: "I wait to hear where in Leics it'll be, but all 10 new hubs will open by April 2022. I've also pushed for confirmation whether dads can receive support through this service."

Claire Murdoch, NHS England's national mental health director, said: "Every woman has a unique experience with pregnancy and motherhood and some will need extra support to cope with mental health issues that can range from anxiety to severe depression so I am delighted that mothers across all areas of the country will be able to access this help if they need it.

"The NHS is here for everyone who needs help and the expansion of specialist care through the rollout of these maternal mental health services will strengthen the services already in place, enabling us to improve the quality of care and outcomes for many women.

"I would encourage any mum who needs this support to come forward safe in the knowledge that her mental health and wellbeing are of paramount importance and she should not feel ashamed of accessing the help she needs."