What is perinatal and infant mental health?
Perinatal mental ill health refers to mental health difficulties experienced by expecting parents, mothers, fathers and other primary caregivers during the period from conception to one year after the birth of baby. Infant mental health is defined as;
“Developing the capacity of the infant and young child to form close and secure relationships; to experience, manage, and express a full range of emotions; and explore the environment and learn—all in the context of family, community, and culture.” (Zero to Three, 2023).
Becoming a parent or welcoming a new baby to your family is often a transformative experience, but it can also bring unexpected emotional challenges. This is especially true if you have experienced difficulties trying to conceive, throughout pregnancy, had a traumatic or disappointing birth experience, or if you or your baby experience complications such as requiring admission to the NICU or sleeping and feeding difficulties. Even if your journey to parenthood has not been complicated by these stressors, this period is characterised by significant psychological, emotional, physical, relationship, social, financial, and practical changes, and can leave new parents feeling overwhelmed and without their bearings. In Australia, perinatal mental health issues affect approximately 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers during pregnancy and the first year after birth. Anxiety and depression symptoms are most common, however other difficulties such as obsessive-compulsive and trauma symptoms are also prevalent.
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Psychological therapy for new parents:
Mental health challenges can lead to new parents experiencing painful thoughts and emotions, and they might feel on edge, overwhelmed, isolated, or sometimes numb. The felt sense of pressure to get parenting done “right” can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and stress which get in the way of being able to be fully present with your new baby. Psychological therapy can help mums, dads and other caregivers to untangle and come to understand the painful thoughts and feelings that contribute to mental health difficulties, and to identify what needs to change in terms of practical strategies and supports to feel well again.
Psychological therapy for pregnant people and their partners
Conception and pregnancy journeys can look and feel differently for everyone. While some parents are delighted and excited to be pregnant and experience relatively uncomplicated fertility and pregnancy journeys, others experience significant distress for a variety of reasons. Ambivalence about pregnancy and becoming a parent, pregnancy loss, depression and anxiety, physical complications such as hyperemesis gravidarum, past birth trauma, needle and other phobias, difficulty becoming pregnant and physical changes are all reasons that someone might feel they need to access psychological support during their conception journey and pregnancy. Psychological therapy at this time can be used to help you accept and live alongside the uncertainty that often accompanies pregnancy, prepare for birth and parenthood, bond with your unborn baby, manage stress, and prepare for parenting together as a couple.
Psychological support for infants:
Your infant’s emotional wellbeing is very closely linked to your own, which is another reason that seeking help if you feel overwhelmed is so important. Perhaps your baby has had a difficult start to life, complicated by a traumatic birth, admission to the NICU, or feeding and sleeping difficulties. Maybe your baby has been very unsettled and colicky. Or perhaps you have a toddler who’s behaviours are concerning you. Seeing your baby or child in distress can bring up feelings of helplessness, despair, frustration, guilt, and anger. It can be so hard to be with your baby or child in their distress, when you yourself are experiencing such distressing emotional states. Your capacity to be there with you baby in a calm, warm, consistent and attuned way, through all of their emotional experiences fosters healthy brain development and secure attachment. If you or your baby are experiencing emotional distress that feels overwhelming, help is available. Psychological therapy with parents and infants is available at Health Sense, and may help you to understand what your baby or child’s behaviours are telling you, what they might need from you emotionally, develop healthy attachment, and feel more confident in your parenting.
Perinatal and infant mental health concerns we can support at Health Sense:
- Postnatal depression and anxiety
- Antenatal anxiety and depression
- Attachment difficulties/ not feeling bonded to baby
- Difficulty managing infant/toddler behaviours and big emotions
- Birth trauma or disappointing birth experience
- Parenting stress
- Adjustment to parenting role
- Return to work stress and burn out
- Relationship stressors in adjustment to parenthood
- Family of Origin problems
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If you are seeking psychological support for any of these presenting issues please contact us to book with Katie Tills
If you are trying to conceive, pregnant, or have recently welcomed a new baby into your family, and are experiencing emotional distress, know that help is available.
The following supports are free to access
You can speak to your GP, child health nurse, paediatrician or psychiatrist for additional support or to arrange access to other services.
ForWhen Helpline:
Guiding new and expecting parents to perinatal and infant mental health supports
9.00am – 4.30pm Monday – Friday
PANDA
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Helpline
Monday to Saturday.
Ngala
Parenting line
8am – 8pm, 7 days a week
Regional Callers: 1800 111 546
Metro Below
Lifeline
For 24/7 and crisis support
Or attend your nearest hospital emergency department/ call 000.
"Therapy is about giving our clients the tools to feel empowered and motivated to take charge of their progress, goals and general wellbeing."
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At Health Sense, we are dedicated to providing a compassionate, welcoming space where individuals can explore and overcome their challenges. Through our client-focused approach and commitment to the community, we aim to empower you to achieve greater well-being.
Safe and Supportive Environment
We offer a non-judgemental space for you to work through your challenges with understanding and care.
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Our team of qualified and experienced professionals will provide the tools and strategies you need to overcome your challenges.
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We are passionate about customising each therapy plan to fit individual needs, helping you understand your mental health challenges and thrive—not just survive.
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