Postnatal care – baby and you
Emotional health after baby
During pregnancy and after baby is born, most women experience a range of emotions. It’s normal to feel some worry during pregnancy and when having a baby. However, if you feel worrying thoughts are becoming a regular part of life, it can help to talk about any concerns with your doctor, partner or a close friend.
It is important to let someone know if you (or your partner) are:
- feeling low, anxious or tense very often
- feeling guilty
- feeling that things are hopeless
- not enjoying things you normally do
- crying all the time
- irritable
- finding it hard to sleep, concentrate or make decisions
- wanting to harm yourself.
Depression and anxiety can occur at any time in your life and can often come to the surface with major events like pregnancy or having a baby.
It is important to keep a check on how you are feeling emotionally and discuss any concerns with your health care professional.
For more information and support:
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby helpline: 1800 882 436
- Beyond Blue – Pregnancy and new parents: 1300 22 4636
- Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA): 1300 726 306
- MUMspace – support for the emotional health of new mums, at every step.
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Mensline Australia: 1300 78 99 78
- Sane Australia Helpline: 1800 18 7263
- White Cloud Foundation: 1300 702 926
- Black Dog Institute
How can partners help?
Partners can:
- deflect negative comments from friends and relatives
- help calm a fussy baby
- bring the new mother food and drink while she is feeding baby
- tell her she is doing a great job.
In this guide:
- Baby’s safety and security in hospital
- How do I register my baby’s birth?
- Looking after yourself at home
- Your physical health and wellbeing
- Emotional health after baby
- More information