Editorial Policy

Gentle Space publishes writing for parents who may be reading at 3am, one-handed, with a baby on their chest. Everything we publish is shaped by that audience.

Who writes our articles

Articles are written by the Gentle Space editorial team and grounded in published guidance, typically NHS, NICE, or the relevant Royal College. Each article shows its author and when it was last updated.

We are building a panel of perinatal practitioners (psychotherapists, midwives, or GPs with relevant experience) to clinically review our articles. Where an article has been clinically reviewed, the reviewer's credentials are listed in the byline. We do not publish ghostwritten content under invented names.

How we choose topics

Topics come from three places: questions we hear repeatedly in the community, gaps we notice in existing UK perinatal mental health resources, and feedback from readers. We do not chase keyword volume for its own sake. Every topic must be useful to the parent sitting up at night.

Sources and accuracy

Where we cite clinical guidance, we link to the primary source, typically NHS, NICE, or the relevant Royal College. Statistics are dated; we update them when newer figures become available.

We do not present opinion as fact. Where the evidence base is uncertain or contested, we say so.

Tone

We avoid clinical language where everyday language works. We do not use words like "disorder", "sufferer", or "struggle with" to describe the feelings parents have. We describe the experience itself. We do not tell readers how they should feel.

Crisis signposting (Samaritans, PANDAS Foundation, CALM, NHS 111) is present on every page.

How we review and update

Every article is reviewed at least once a year, or sooner when clinical guidance changes. The article header shows when it was last updated. Material edits are noted at the bottom of the article.

Where an article needs clinical review, we prioritise arranging it.

Corrections

If you find an error (clinical, editorial, or factual), please email clare@gentlespace.net. We respond within five working days. Confirmed corrections are made promptly and noted on the article.

Sponsored content and conflicts of interest

We do not publish sponsored articles, affiliate-driven product reviews, or content paid for by third parties. If we ever do, it will be clearly labelled.

Where a reviewer or author has a relevant professional or commercial interest (for example, running a private practice in the topic area), it is declared in their author bio.

What this is not

Gentle Space is not a clinical service. Our articles are not a substitute for professional medical, mental-health, or legal advice. If you are unwell or in crisis, please contact a clinician or one of the helplines on the crisis strip at the top of every page.