Mental health before, during and after pregnancy

If you are feeling worried, overwhelmed or not yourself, you can talk to a healthcare provider or seek support at any time. Speak up no matter how minor it seems.

Find resources and tools to support your mental health and wellbeing.

Mental health concerns during pregnancy and early parenthood can affect anyone. They may occur for the first time, be related to an existing mental health condition, or be a recurrence of previous mental health concerns.

These concerns can range from mild through to severe and are managed with care, support and treatment. Your maternity care providers are skilled in approaching mental health care and can help you to find specialist care when needed.

Needing support can look different for everyone and your needs may change during pregnancy and after your baby is born.

Good mental health matters during pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to experience feelings of anxiety and depression. Some people may experience both. 1 in 5 women in Australia experience anxiety, depression or both during pregnancy and in the year after birth. For many people, the first signs appear during pregnancy and not all pregnancies will be the same.

Mental health during pregnancy: 

• can affect people from all different backgrounds
• are not limited to women with a past mental health history
• may appear for the first time in pregnancy. 

Pregnancy can be a period of increased vulnerability. This is due to factors such as: 

• hormonal changes
• physical changes
• previous pregnancy or birth trauma
• relationship stress
• financial pressure or limited support
• changing dynamics in your family and life.
• past trauma or difficult life experiences which may be triggered during pregnancy.

This is why your maternity care provider will regularly ask how you are feeling — so they can support you early if needed.