Louis Theroux

When reality doesn’t meet expectations, it can be a blow to anyone. But add the trauma of childbirth and sleep deprivation into the mix and you can see how the mental wellbeing of new mums can be severely affected when they feel that they’re not living up to the myth of perfect, joy-filled parenting.

Here, Louis Theroux, displaying real warmth and insight, visits specialist mother-and-baby units in London and Hampshire and gets to know a group of women who have been admitted with depression, anxiety and psychosis – often sparked by the struggles that come with caring for a newborn. As he discovers, feelings of inadequacy hitting at such an emotional time of life can be particularly damaging.