Preparing for a new baby is hard enough. Buying clothes, baby-proofing the house, and not to mention the pregnancy itself!
What parents can neglect to prepare for is their mental wellbeing, both during the pregnancy, and after. Perinatal (that’s theperdiod during pregnancy and the first 12 months after birth) s l mental health conditions are common among new parents, but it is possible to reduce the risk of developing a condition yourself.
We've spoken to Dr Daniel Golshevsky ("Dr Golly"), paediatrician, author, and father of three, on perinatal mental health, and how to prepare your mental wellbeing for the stresses of a new arrival in the family.
Why do you believe prevalence for perinatal and postnatal depression and anxiety in particular are so high?
Having babies is not an easy task. It can be incredibly exhausting; not just due to sleep deprivation, although this doesn’t help. There is so much ‘noise’ around new parents. They are constantly receiving conflicting information from all angles; whether that’s from friends, family, social media or mainstream media. It’s tough to know what to listen to. It can become so overwhelming that they lose touch with their innate parental instincts. Once this connection is gone, parenting becomes immeasurably harder. The feelings of doubt and constantly second-guessing yourself are going to escalate and so often that manifests as PND or PNA.
How much of an impact does sleep (or lack thereof) have on a mother's mental health and wellbeing?
In addition to issues with sleep, what are some other predictive factors that may make women more susceptible to a perinatal mental health condition?
Women who have previously struggled with anxiety or depression are at a greater risk of developing PND or PNA in their postnatal period. If this is the case for you, I suggest you develop a postnatal mental health plan before your baby’s arrival.
Preparation is the key here. You may never need your postnatal mental health plan, but it’s a wonderful thing to have on hand if the moment comes when it is required.
It's not just women who experience conditions like postnatal depression - is this also an issue for men and non-birth parents?
It’s common for dads (or non-birthing parents) to feel helpless and excluded from the breastfeeding experience, or struggle to find a connection with their newborn and partner during this time.
The symptoms of paternal perinatal mental health struggles are very similar to those of a mother, although there is a greater capacity for avoidance. We also see more physical manifestations, like tiredness, insomnia, weight changes, etc.
Inclusion is the best way to curb this. Some tips I often give - something I developed with my own children - is to have the bassinet stationed on dad’s side of the bed at night. Also make dad the baby-burping king. This will include him in the feeding process and give him ownership of at least one - some may say one of the most important - baby tasks.
If someone is concerned that they or a loved one is experiencing perinatal depression, anxiety or another condition, what should they look out for?
It’s normal to have up and down periods during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, but it’s paramount to keep an eye out for any mood irregularities or functional changes that last longer than 2 weeks.
Common symptoms of Postnatal Depression (PND) include:
- a numb, sad or low mood
- excessive crying
- a loss of interest in enjoyable activities including your baby (anhedonia)
- having difficulty sleeping (not due to your baby waking) or excessive sleeping
- loss or increased appetite and/or weight fluctuations
Postnatal Anxiety (PNA) is thought to be more common than PND.
Common PNA symptoms vary and include:
- anxiety, fear or worry that is difficult to control e.g. about your baby’s health, sleeping or feeding
- feeling irritable, tense, restless, or on edge
- increased heart rate or breathing, nausea or the shakes
- difficulty falling asleep at night (when your baby is asleep)
- excessive checking on your baby
Be aware that depression and anxiety symptoms often coexist.
What treatments are available?
If PND or PNA has been confirmed, your doctor or healthcare professional will advise the best supports, in a tailored, case-by-case fashion. Understanding the problem itself can often provide huge relief, as well as educating the people around the individual who is affected. Simultaneously, troubleshoot to find any sources of unsettled behaviour in your baby that might be impeding night sleeping; better sleep can be a panacea.
So often I see wonderful, well-informed birth plans from parents, but I urge these parents, especially those who have experienced previous mental health struggles, to put as much time and effort into creating their postnatal mental health plan.
You may not need it at all, but a carefully crafted team of professionals you have hand-picked prior to any mental health struggles arising, will significantly ease the process if help is required down the line.
If you simply don’t know where to start, I suggest:
- PANDA’s National Hotline 1300 762 306
- Your GP or obstetrician
- Your Maternal & Child Healthcare Nurse
Can lifestyle factors like exercise and connection help bolster mental health in this vulnerable period?
How do you think we as a culture can better support mums and new parents to thrive?
We need to understand that it takes a village to raise a child; this is not figurative. We literally need input from dozens of people, to safely and confidently provide for our offspring. We no longer live in tribes and villages, we are siloed and separated.
If your friend, family member or neighbour has just had a baby, don’t arrive and expect a cup of tea and cake. Come with practical gifts, sit and fold washing while you chat, enquire about the new parent’s mood and outlook, or take the baby for a stroll. Leave all judgement and criticism at the door and be the supportive village that this young family so desperately needs.
You can find more tips from Dr Golly on preparing for a new baby's arrival in his book ‘Your Baby Doesn't Come With A Book', and from his website.
Check out our Stories section for more mental health-related articles.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, Lifeline offers 24/7 crisis support on 131 114.
