Supporting Partners & Support People During the Perinatal Period
Having a baby is really hard. It’s tiring, it’s emotional, it’s draining, there is a lot going on. It’s hard! Pregnancy and early parenthood are often framed around the birthing parent, but partners and support people also face their own emotional journey. Recognising and supporting them is essential — not only for their wellbeing, but […]
Anticipatory Anxiety in New Parents and Support People: The Shadow of the Past
Becoming a parent or a primary support person is a profound life transition. Alongside excitement and joy, it often brings a heavy undercurrent of worry — anticipatory anxiety. This anxiety arises as we look ahead to the unknown: the birth, the baby’s needs, managing work alongside family life, and simply the question, “Am I going […]
Shining a Light on Maternal Mental Illness
Bringing a new life into the world is often envisioned as a joyous occasion, yet for many mothers in Australia, the journey into motherhood is accompanied by the shadows of maternal mental illness. In this blog, we approach the topic with compassion, shedding light on the toll of maternal mental illness in Australia and emphasising […]
How do you know if you have postnatal depression/ anxiety?
If you’re reading this, you might have heard about postnatal anxiety and depression and wondering if this could be happening to you.
Perinatal intrusive thoughts, OCD & psychosis
Intrusive thoughts One of the potential symptoms of postnatal depression/ anxiety is persistent worries about the wellbeing of your baby. These might include repetitive thoughts or images about your baby being hurt or harmed in some way and this can be one of the most difficult symptoms for new parents to endure. Sometimes these thoughts […]
Supporting someone with perinatal mental health symptoms
As the support person of someone experiencing perinatal mental health issues it can be a sensitive space to find yourself. There are many things you can do to make this path easier for yourself and the person you are supporting.
PNDA: Risk factors, causes & treatment
Because there are a variety of interacting factors that cause PNDA, recovery often involves more than one approach, dealing with both internal and external stressors to address emotional and psychological health as well as attending to practical issues.