Why We Need To Talk About Perinatal Depression

When a woman gets pregnant, all the questions are to do with her physical health. How many weeks along are you? Have you felt nauseous?

But rarely do we check to see how the mum-to-be is feeling about the birth and impact a baby will have on her life and her partner.

Yet with one in five mothers and one in
 10 fathers in Australia experiencing perinatal depression, it’s vital we consider emotional and physical health, reveals Gidget Foundation CEO Catherine Knox. ‘Perinatal depression – the time from conception to one year after birth – is common, yet there is definitely still a stigma surrounding the condition,’ she explains.

Catherine – who has suffered from postnatal depression (PND) herself – believes hospital screen for depression and anxiety coupled with greater awareness, means more women will spot the signs and seek help sooner. PND affects people right across the socio-economic and cultural spectrum, with high-achieving personality types more vulnerable.

‘There’s the expectation that having a baby will be a beautiful experience, but reality can shatter those dreams,’ Catherine says. ‘For perfectionists, it can be hard because a baby creates chaos. We need to learn 
to embrace the chaos.’

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression call Life Line on 13 11 14 or visit Beyond Blue.

Source: New Idea.